The Joy of a Family Tradition (KC Parent article)

I had so much fun with this month's KC Parent article, "The Joy of a Family Tradition."

We have so many of them, too many, so I've tried to slow things down and focus on our favorites--gingerbread houses, Advent, unwrapping picture books by the tree, caroling with Daddy on piano, visiting the nursing home with L's violin in tow.  But our most cherished tradition came by way of Polar Express minivan train last Friday night...

An overview of our Polar Express tradition, from the article:

The children and their friends, donning pajamas, faces smattered with spaghetti dinner, were giddy. They had discovered them: golden tickets and curious sleigh bells which, to grown-up ears, were distinctly broken.

“Mom? Can’t you hear it ringing? Listen!” insisted Lorelei as she and little brother Gryffin jangled them, yet again, at my cheek. I shook my head densely and shrugged. 

“Just believe, Mom!”

The anticipation built as my friends and I herded our three families outside, bells and tickets in hand. The children’s cherubic faces beamed red and jolly in defiance of the frosty blue night.

“May I have your golden tickets?” the fathers asked sternly, bowing in train conductor hats and sporting thick moustaches grown for the occasion. The passengers lined up rapturously for rapid-fire ticket punches, then boarded their respective train cars. We three moms in elf hats converged dotingly with candy canes and mugs of steamy hot chocolate. Then our three minivans, windows frosted with snowflakes and the words “Polar Express,” caravanned off to the Overland Park Arboretum’s Luminary Walk—our North Pole.

Our Polar Express Luminary Walk, Year Two:

Daddy in his train conductor hat, the kids with golden tickets.

Jena, Jalen and Jennifer decorating cars.

Even our neighbor Charlie got in on the fun.  It just happened to be pajama day at school.  He fit right in!

We hosted a few more families this year (from small groups) for soup and chili before meeting up with Mothers Together friends at Starbucks.

The ladies, looking festive!

There's this Irish proverb I love:

"May your house always be too small...

... to hold all your friends."

Then from Starbucks, we all caravanned on the Polar Express to the North Pole.

It was a gorgeous 60-degree December night!

You cannot pull me away from the cider, bonfire and carols.

There's something so earthy and yet ethereal about the energy there, especially when huddled with beloved friends.

Lost in a maze of prairie grass.

This little furniture arrangement reminded me of Salisbury Plain.

And to crown the night, a visit with jolly old St. Nick.

December is officially here!

(We had so much fun, our family visited the Luminary yet again on Saturday night with the neighbors.)

Thanksgiving Article

I might just love Thanksgiving as much as Christmas.  Well, almost anyway.  I think gratitude is perhaps the most important spiritual practice, for one.  And it's also a holiday with deep roots in my family: our great grandparents (x16 generations), William and Mary Brewster, crossed the seas on the Mayflower and offered up the first Thanksgiving prayer.

So when I got assigned to write this article for KC Parent this November, I had gobs of fun.  And just look at those darling pilgrims (Gryffy wouldn't cooperate, but Lorelei and her friends look darling in those hats we fished out of our Thanksgiving bin--they were great sports).

Latest Article: Teens Who Volunteer

I had a great assignment for August: spotlight four local teens who volunteer.

 I loved the creativity of these kids putting their talents to use in ways that truly bless others.  

And the idea of volunteering more (outside of just our church) has been nagging at me lately.

Over the summer, I sat with the McKenna family at dinner and listened to them tell exciting tales of volunteering in orphanages in Haiti, a place that has stolen their heart.

Our friends, the Heinauers, have loved bringing their kids along for the past year to volunteer at the Hope Center, and they also took a couple's vacation to volunteer at Castaway summer camp.

This week, as I was on FaceTime with my dear friend, Ian, in England, I got so excited listening to work he's beginning for African orphanages, watching his face light up at the idea of helping kids who had nothing.  He's donating the proceeds of the Brighton Book Festival, which he runs, to this cause.

Yesterday, at Gryffy's preschool, I was talking to a dad & Westside Church pastor, John Huber, who just got back from Haiti and is soon on his way to Thailand and India on missions.  I can't wait to pick their brains about this over dinner next month!

And last night, I came across a picture of a boy I've met who was left, half dead, as a baby on the doorstep of an orphanage in Africa (the orphanage--Energy of Hope--was run by a girl in her twenties--amazing story!)... he now lives with her in the states, where he's thriving.  He (Elton) and his friend, Lucia, are making tie-dye shirts to give to people who donate money for food.  $35 = 80 meals.

And while we can only support causes like this from afar for now (given the age of our kids--someday I'd love to take them on a missions trip), there are some things we can do to engage in our own community.

 For awhile now, Lorelei and I have been talking about an idea we've had for some time: having violin concerts at a nursing home. She puts all this effort into practicing everyday, and has been playing now for two and half years (enough to build up some confidence and know she's pretty darn good).  So today, I called Rose Estates, and we're putting some dates on the calendar.  Maybe Mark will tickle some ivories while we're there, too.  And Gryffy, well, he's the master of hugs.  I'm glad we've cleared some space on our calendar this year, and now have the chance to fill it up with efforts that take us beyond ourselves.  Our faith teaches us to care for orphans and widows and to visit the lonely, so we're going to put it into practice.

Recycled Fun

We officially recycle now... I know, about time.  And to commemorate our new lifestyle, here's my article from this month's KC Parent.  Thanks to all my friends who contributed ideas!  Couldn't have written it without you.  To read the article, click HERE and go to page 24, or just pick up a copy!

Five Weekends of Outdoor Fun (KC Parent Article)

I just fell in love with the formatting on the October article.  Our graphic artist is so talented! 

I broke down the five weekends in October into different themes, from decorating for fall to playing night games to capturing your family in photos or playing in the leaves.  So go get your copy, or read the full article HERE.  Then snap a shot of YOUR FAMILY reading KC Parent, and share it on their Facebook page!  A festive fall to you!

My Back-To-School Article in KC Parent

 It's officially August, which means Gryffy starts preschool, and Lorelei starts kindergarten. This back-to-school season is a big deal for these big kids, and a HUGE deal for these big kids' Mommy. Mostly, I feel excited for them, but I've been a bit panicked over the whole thing. I mean, the stakes are high. This is kindergarten we're talking about, as in we've got to turn up on time (no more tardies!), she's got to do homework (though she'll probably love this), and Gryffy's got to detach his grip from my leg no less than three days per week!

When my editor, Margaret, suggested an article to tie in our family's pencil jars with setting up systems for a smooth transition back to school, it gave me the head start I needed to think through how I want to organize all the papers coming in, where I expect Lorelei to work on homework, and how best to schedule after school time to make sure we take care of first things first. After writing the article, I took my own advice to create a massive magnetic board for storing the influx of papers, artwork, and REAL report cards. Like I've said before, I've been nesting before back-to-school. And it feels fantastic (I might even be on top of this thing, forget that I tried to schedule a "Smart Cookie" party for Lorelei's half-day class at the exact same time as the school's ice cream social--might be that Gryffy's the only one getting a "Smart Cookie" party with his friends this year). That aside, if you want some tips to streamline back-to-school, check out the article on KCParent.com HERE.

I have so much fun writing for this incredible magazine!

(And did you notice that article about Trader Joe's??? Seriously, you're going to want to pick up your FREE copy... Where else can you find a better deal than TJ's Two-Buck Chuck?)

Star-Spangled Fun Article

I love putting together holiday articles, and got to write up some fun recipes and projects for KC Parent Magazine this July. To read the article (and get my favorite Bandito Beans recipe--yum!) click HERE.

Happy celebrating!

Tomfooleries and Shenanigans

St. Patrick's Day began with Irish kisses.

 I had the privilege of writing the St. Patrick's Day article for KC Parent Magazine, and enjoyed some of the projects in the article with our family.

 Here the kids are stuffing stockings with seeds and potting soil to make chia-inspired leprechauns.

 They began to sprout in about a week...

 And it was full-on hair come St. Patty's Day. We used items around the house (googly eyes, pom-poms, old t-shirt paint) and didn't find anything for beards. Still, they turned out cute, were super easy, and we had fun making them! I think this will become a St. Patty's tradition!

 Here are the kids, showing them off.

 Guess who came knockin' on our door? (Actually, he sneaked inside...

 ...to use the loo.) Leprechaun tinkle.

 And luck o' the Irish! Our friends, the Bell family, invited us to join them for a second year on the O'Connell Family trolley in the Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade (insert heel click and a frolic)!

 Gryffy loved the trolley ride and was mesmerized by the parade. He acted so grown up today--behaving like gold!

 Irish eyes are smilin'!

 Lorelei with her buddy J.P.. They've known each other forever and are dear friends.

 Photo op with Slugger. Go Royals!

 Life's ruff.

Their favorite spot--the front of the trolley. 

 Peering out at all the excitement.

 Gryffin, Lorelei, Nolan and J.P.

 Kiss me! I'm Irish! 

 Greeting the crowd... because they all came out to see the Connelly kids and Bell boys.

 Gryffy waving his streamer. He really entertained the crowd with his cute little arm waving, but got tired halfway through the ride (it's a long parade)!

 Clover Queen.

 I love special times with my kiddos.

 Mr. Curls.

 A blarney good St. Patrick's Day!