Timeless Traditions

There is nothing better than creating traditions with your family. My mind is always spinning trying to come up with new traditions, making memories and creating special moments for my boys. This Christmas is no exception.

Some of our traditions for the holidays include: baking cookies, opening one present on Christmas eve, driving around looking at Christmas lights, reading the Christmas story and I am sure I am leaving some out. This year I have been on a search for a new tradition---Found It and Done!!

Today, as I left to take pictures for my friend who had her first baby at 11:34am--I left instructions for the boys. Go to Home Depot. Build a manger. I figured I would give them a task since I was gonna be gone most of the day and what better way than to help me along in making my new tradition a reality, early too!

When I returned from a wonderful day with a newborn, my manger had been built!! Curious?

Our new tradition will help us to remember why we celebrate Christmas. Not all the presents under the tree, not the food, not the candy--but the true reason.

Cash loves that it is Jesus' birthday. He asked me the sweetest question the other night when we were talking about Jesus' birthday and Christmas. "Mama, will we get to go to Jesus' birthday party?"

I could hardly hold back the tears as I let him know that we would definitely have a party for baby Jesus.

Back to the manger and our new tradition.... the manger will reside by our Christmas tree and every night we will place a little hay in it in anticipation of the Baby Jesus. On Christmas morning the boys will find the Baby Jesus lying in the manger just as he did so many years ago on that very special 1st Christmas. Could there be a better gift?

Cash was so excited about the manger that he was screaming Jesus' name outside, climbing in the manger---pure child excitement. I think he wanted Jesus to be in there immediately.

I will find the perfect doll to represent our King. I can already tell that Cash will be more excited about seeing the manger on Christmas morning than anything else.


Share your new Christmas tradition for this year and also share your favorite traditions.

I am always searching for new ideas. You can never have enough traditions!!

Halloween 2009

I going to mark October 31, 2009 as one of the best days our family has ever had. We had a tremendous amount of fun, laughed a lot, and the boys were in their costumes all day long. Actually, Cash and Cillian have been in their costumes a lot in the last few weeks.

October has been full of pumpkin patches, festivals, pumpkins at school, Halloween party at a friend's, cookie decorating--seriously the list goes on and on. Oh, and so does my October picture file on my computer. I really filled it up this month. Whew!!

Ok, so on to the fantastic holiday we had at the O'Brien household. Everyone was in a great mood. Cash and Cillian were all giggly and sweet.

Cillian's first trick or treat experience was incredibly memorable. Greg and I walked over to the neighbor's house with Cash, Cillian, LoLo and Papa. Cillian was so cute walking through the grass--seemed like he knew what he was doing. When everyone had their cameras ready Cash and Cillian walked up to the door. It was so funny and super sweet!

The neighbors had a candy bowl that greeted them spookily--my boys didn't miss a beat. They were all smiles while both of them helped themselves to the goodies. There was a party inside but it wasn't long until everyone was outside looking at the cutest little spooks ever.

Cillian, not a veteran candy eater, somehow knew to hand me his little Hersey bar to open. He was eating chocolate within minutes of grabbing it!


So the night began, Cillian set off on his quest for treats. I am not sure how he knew what to do but by the 2nd house we went to......he was picking exactly what he wanted. At one point, he grabbed an orange tootsie pop of course it went right in his mouth paper and all. I finally gave in and unwrapped it. He loved it but slobber was everywhere. Don't ya know everything is better when there is messy slobbler involved and that was ok with me!!

We took Cillian home early. As soon as I walked him in the house he sat right down and dumped his bucket out and proudly handed LoLo and Papa his treats. My words cannot express how adorable my little scarecrow was.....

Cash was in the zone. He was all about trick or treating and was so very polite doing it. "Trick or Treat" was always the first thing he said followed by "Happy Halloween" and "Have a good night." My, my candy sure does bring out good manners!

I could hardly believe that at one point he looked at me and said, "Mama, I am ready to go home." He was excited to spread out a blanket on the floor and dump all the yummies out. His Halloween bucket was so full, in fact we had transferred some of his candy into Cillian's so that it wouldn't be too heavy.

When we got home and shared our experience with LoLo and Papa, Cash graciously handed out treats to all of us. We all commented how when we were little it always seemed like our stash lasted until Easter and was so much more than it really was.

Halloween 2009 excitement just cannot be beat!! The smiles and laughter of "Buzz" and "Little Scarecrow" was priceless. I loved watching them trick or treat together and seeing the joy when they received their treats.


Did I say that October 31, 2009 was the best day? I am having the most wonderful time being their mama--WONDERFUL!!

Pumpkin Fest 2009

Downtown Franklin has festivals throughout the year and in the Fall is Pumpkin Fest. Our church sponsors a children's zone and there are all kinds of characters walking the streets.

This year Cash and Cillian (aka Buzz Lightyear and Scarecrow) were so excited. As we walked down the street everyone just oooohed and ahhhed over "Buzz" and the "Scarecrow"--I mean seriously it was super cute the way everyone made a fuss over my cutie pies.

We watched Irish dancers, cloggers, listened to Bluegrass music watched Cash play carnival games and ate yummy fattening festival food. Cillian had a grand time as we sat on the side of the street and ate our food and commented on all the different costumes. Cash liked the Star Wars characters the best while Cillian enjoyed a conversation with the Wizard of Oz Scarecrow and a nice green thing!

The boys were definitly in their element. Cillian loved strolling down the street with all the other people and Cash just beamed at his new found fame! Everyone loved Buzz and "oh, how sweet!" over the cutest little scarecrow.

We rushed home a little late for naps but just in time for a quick catnap before more Halloween excitement.

It was a fantastic fall day we really had the best time ever at the festival--wonderfully memorable!!

Cillian's Halloween Bucket

Isn't it cute--too cute?

Finally, my love for paper has paid off. I am not into scraping, but I love all the paper. The last time I was in Hobby Lobby I bought some cute Halloween paper--just because it was so fun. At the time, I wasn't sure what I was gonna do with it actually I had planned on monogramming pumpkins but haven't gotten around to that, yet!

So, I pulled out my modge podge, my pretty paper and went to the garage to find all the wonderful galvanized buckets that I had purchased last Halloween. Cowboy Cash carried a galvanized bucket last Halloween with a bandana wrap around the handle and of course I think I bought 5 extra buckets!!

The idea came when I saw some adorable bucket like this one at a local store. They were really fun but at $32 at my local store--I knew I could make a better one!!

All I did was get my husband to help me measure and cut the paper (you can't just wrap the bucket because the bottom is smaller), modge podged the paper and bucket, wrap them and use letter stickers for Cillian's name. After I put his name on it I modge podged it several times with the glossy modge podge, let dry and then decorated with ric rac and pretty bows.

Cash's is next--he picked out his own paper. White paper with lots of black bats. Of course, Cash's won't have the bows so I will have to come up with something else. I will be sure to share pictures with you.

We are so excited for Halloween!!

This will be Cillian's first time trick or treating. I am so glad he will have a great bucket for all his goodies.

Uhmmm, not so sure he will be eating anything in it, but at least he will look good!!

Preschool Pumpkin Patch

Cash's preschool had their annual Pumpkin Patch Day this past Wednesday. Cash was so excited he didn't know what to expect when I told him they would be playing games and it was going to be kinda like a field day!

It was a beautiful day and the staff really did it right. They decorated with lots of pumpkins, mums and scarecrows. A photographer was there to take class pictures on hay bales and the field beside the church was scattered with games and pumpkins for pickin'! Each student got to pick their own pumpkin at the end of the morning.

I volunteered to help with the "sack race." Cash loved that I was there and as soon as he came out he started hollering "Mama". I actually crept up behind the "go fish" game and peeked around to take his picture. His little face was so sweet when he first saw me and he just sat there and waved discreetly as he watched his friends and waited his turn.

Before Cash got to school I explained to him that I was going to help out and that he would have to stay with his class and do what Ms. Kathy said. He wasn't so sure about the "sack race". He thought that we were going to put him in a sack. I assured him he would love it when he found out exactly what to do--boy did he!!

I asked Cash at the end of the day what he favorite game was and he excitedly replied, "the sack race!" He was really good at it and smiled and laughed the entire time he was in that little sack. Don't ya just love his precious face?

When it came time to roll the pumpkins to the finish line, Cash really used his little noggin'--after realizing that the pumpkin wasn't going to roll straight he just decided to pick it up. Course, it was too heavy but it was fun to watch him try!

After picking the perfect pumpkin the class went to eat freshly popped popcorn. Cash was adorable sitting with his class munchin' away. Even though I have seen him many times with lots of other children for some reason sitting with his preschool class he looked so grown up!

It was a great day! Really it was his first "Field Day" experience and Cash was thrilled beyond measure. He was all smiles from the time he came outside till the time he blew me kisses as he walked back into his classroom.

I love that he enjoyed me being there and I will remember every little smile, laugh, and chuckle from that morning.

Jesus at Chuck E. Cheese?

Today, I took the boys to Chuck E. Cheese. As we listened to the Christian station on the radio, the announcer asked an interesting question, "if you and Jesus were in an elevator together, what one question would you ask him?"

Some great answers were shared, "how can you truly love everyone completely when in today's world there seems to be so many purposely hateful people--how can I love like you, Lord?"

It got me to thinking......"Cash, if you could ask Jesus anything what question would you ask him?"

Cash answered as only a 3 1/2 year old would, "I would ask him if he wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese with me!" I thought that was a great question, so I asked Cash what he thought Jesus' answer would be.

Cash on Jesus' answer: "Sure, I would love to go to Chuck E. Cheese with you!

While I know Jesus was there with us today for Cillian's first trip to the Cheese--I thought how cool it would be for Him to be living it up with my boys on the carousel!!

Cillian's first visit to Chuck E. Cheese was all smiles. He grinned the entire time and didn't know where to look. He and Cash spend 10 minutes waving and saying "Hi" to the mouse!

Of course, my little climber climbed right on everything and practically put his own coins in the machines. He loved it when the cars would move and when I told him to "drive" he would put his sweet hands on the steering wheel and drive away!!

It was a wonderful day and as I looked backed on Cash's 1st trip to the Cheese a year ago.....I couldn't help but wonder "what would Jesus ride on at Chuck E. Cheese?"

Enjoy the show featuring photos from Cash in 2008 and Cillian in 2009!!

"Chuck E. Cheese"

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Pumpkin Patch

We made our annual family trip to the pumpkin patch on Saturday. The weather was perfect and Cash and Cillian were smilin' and gigglin' the entire time.

The farm animals were a big hit with Cillian he went right up to the fence to pet them. It is so adorable when he says, "quack, quack." I think he said it no matter what type of animal he saw. There was a rustic hen house that the kids could go in, go up a ladder and slide out. Cash enjoyed sliding and running back around to go down again. Once Cillian caught wind of it--he had to slide down too--grinning from ear to ear!

Who would have thought that a trough full of wheat and corn could be so much fun? The boys spent most of the afternoon filling up jugs, shoveling, and funneling. Getting dirty makes whatever you are doing so much better. Cillian's hands are so sweet playing in the wheat!!

Later, we had a picnic and watched Cash play in the tepees, rustic house and outhouse. I knew once I told him what the outhouse was used for what would come next, "can I pee pee in here!" Even though Greg was injured he enjoyed the sunshine and told us to go ahead and do the hayride without him. Cillian moo'd the whole time as we rode around the farm and waved to the cows and their babies.

Our day concluded with pictures on the pumpkins. Another one of Cillian's favorite words to say--I can't really describe how he says it but trust me when I tell you it is super precious!!

Check out how much we have changed from our trip to Gentry's Farm since our last trip a year ago!

Messy Naptime Fun!

You never know what is going to happen around here during naptime. Sometimes, Mama can get things done and sometimes Mama might even be able to rest herself. Which was exactly my plan for a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Cash and I went to church yesterday morning by ourselves. Greg is still recovering from knee surgery and Cillian is in that 15-16 month very attached phase. Lately, when we leave him in the nursery he has been crying is little heart out the whole entire church service. So, he stayed home and took his morning nap. When Cash and I got back from church, we all ate lunch together and then the boys played. I decided to let Cash stay up a little longer before taking a nap so that possibly both boys would nap at the same time--Love it when that happens!

Cash and I had fun plans to make Halloween sprinkled chocolate pretzel rods after his nap. Well, Cash didn't nap. He stayed in his room and played quietly or so I thought and since I had a terrific headache nothing really mattered to me--what's the worst that could happen.

When I finally came out of my room I went straight to Cash's and peeked in.....no Cash. Hmmm, where could he be! I walk towards the kitchen and find him standing on a chair at the counter--looking really guilty and really cute! I stand beside him and he says "I am making the pretzels for you--Look!"

Cash had got out a round pizza pan, cut the pretzel bag with scissors, cut the gummy worm bag with scissors, brought all the sprinkles from the cabinet to the counter and was having a grand messy time all the while chewing a piece of gum (I guess to help him work better). Pretzels were all over the pan and TONS of sprinkles, red hots, you name it were scattered all over the pan. Not too bad of a mess I must say. It was such a sweet gesture and he couldn't be any cuter or any prouder!

Cash kept saying how he wanted to help out and get started on the pretzels. I think his real reason is he knew we probably weren't gonna do our project since he didn't nap. It was a real mess and could've been a lot worse. I thought it was super sweet! Greg....not so much, but he came around.

I informed Greg that this little pretzel incident is nothing compared to what we will find one day when both the boys get into something.

I can't imagine what it will be but I am sure it will make me smile--at least I hope!

Guess it is a good thing that Cash didn't know I was gonna melt chocolate, dip the pretzels and then we were gonna decorate them with sprinkles. I am confident that he would have at least made an attempt at it!

Oh, in addition--does anyone know how to get fingernail polish out of carpet? and yes, I am still smiling, grateful for my sweet babies!

Emotions of Reading

I love me a good Southern author. In college, one of my favorite courses was my Southern Literature class. I could actually read books I loved, discuss, write papers and learn all at the same time.

Pat Conroy is one of my favorite Southern authors. He has a way with words and can really tell a heartfelt story all the way around. His latest, "South of Broad", continues his adoration of Charleston, The Citadel and Southern life! not sure how to underline!

I have to say this book totally caught me off guard. It started off slow then turn into the Conroy I love. While reading this book, I took in every word, phrase and description of Charleston. Wonderful read--then I came to the twist at the end. As I read the ending, I was trying to imagine what was coming. Several scenarios came to mind and I continued to read-man it hit me. Read the book you will see what I mean.

Now, I might be making too much of this-could have been my emotional state who knows. But, I was caught completely off guard. Closing the book in tears all I could do was pray. I thought to myself--"this stuff happens" and that made me cry more. I thought about my boys sweetly sleeping and couldn't shake the ending of this dynamic novel. At one point I just prayed that God would calm me, calm my thoughts.

Well, we all know God answers prayers. My cuddly Cillian began crying for me around midnight and suddenly my thoughts, tears and fears were put to rest. I know God was telling me "its OK".

Reading brings out so many emotions. Mothering two gorgeous, huggable boys brings my emotions to a whole new level while reading books, magazine articles, blogs or church signs--everyday!!

Mama Gettin' Creative

I am a nut. I can be crazy. I can be obsessed. I am a lunatic. I am a perfectionist. A perfectionist who always tries to make every moment of my son's lives special and memorable!

Cash might not think about it much now but one day he will look back on the little details, remember and know that his mama always went out of her way to make life extra special.

This Mama is really getting creative. I thought about what I wanted Cash to see when he first opened his lunchbox on his first day of preschool. I wanted him to smile and know that I was thinking of him at that very moment.

Does this picture make you smile?

You can't help but smile! Imagine the grin on a 3 year old's face--wish I could have seen it. I know he smiled, I know he ate the decorations (veggies) and some of the sandwich and I know he knew I was thinking about him! darn, i just noticed i forgot nemo's mouth

Creative Mama's Mission Accomplished!!

What things do you do to make your children's lives extra special? It is all in the little details...ya know!

Signs of Excitement

How do you know that your preschooler is excited about his first day of preschool?

1. When you present his backpack to him the day before....he can't stop smiling or putting it on his back. Oh, and packing it with lots of necessary items!


2. Wants you to put a snack in his new lunchbox the day before the big day!


3. Two nights before asks "is this the night that I go to bed and then go to preschool in the morning"


4. Wakes up at 4:45am, takes his clothes off and proceeds to get dressed


5. Gladly without "I don't won't to wear that shirt" puts on first day outfit with pride


6. Doesn't eat breakfast


7. Endures numerous pictures and video taking from Mama and Daddy
   
8. Promptly buckles himself in his carseat
   
9. Gives his Mama a hug and a kiss and enters a whole new world smiling with anticipation


10. Greets you at the end of the day beaming
    

Ways a Mama gets through her baby's 1st day of preschool:

1. Engulfs herself in preparing for the big day (weeks before)
   
2. Says "I love You" a thousand times a day (all the time)
   
3. Grocery shops at 9pm for the perfect lunch items the night before


4. Practices making a Nemo sandwich at 10pm the night before


5. Is thoughtful and detailed in packing the first day lunch--Nemo sandwich, pretzel sticks, Keeble elf men cookies, pineapple and blueberries


6. Tapes cut out heart with message on lid of lunchbox


7. Presents new Spiderman thermos to her baby
   
8. Takes lots of pictures


9. Sings "Jesus loves Cash" with her sweet miracle on the way to school


10. Trys not to notice the other moms crying as they leave the building
    

Oh How Sweet!

How sweet are my childhood memories! Funny, it feels like they have been locked in a vault for 30 something years and I have just now found the key. Since Cash has come along the memories are just a floodin'.

I tell Cash stories all the time about Aunt Julie and me, goofy things we did, and goofy things LoLo did with us. I also share with him about how much fun we had in church, Sunday School, Sunday night training, VBS, etc.

Well, for sometime now I have made an addition to our nightly storytime (lights are out and I make up fun stories about something he is interested it) and have begun singing old hymns. Not sure how that happened but he loves it. I am amazed at how many words (almost all) I know to songs like, "I have decided", "Amazing Grace", "How Great Thou Art", "He's the Lily of the Valley", and others.

With these precious songs come precious memories. My sister and I used to get an old hymnal off the bookshelf and play church. We would tell the other to turn to page so-and-so and then we would belt out the words. Little did we know the smile we were putting on our Maker's face!

Anyway, in searching my memory for new hymns I started singing "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot". I only know the first part of this particular song so I decided to look up the words and some history. Here is the song as sung by one of my favorite artists:

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - Johnny Cash

"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is an African American spiritual. The hymn was written sometime before 1862 by Wallis Willis, a Choctaw freedman. It was first recorded by the Fisk Jubilee Singers in 1909. (how ironic being in Nashville) The song was honored in 2002 by the Library of Congress as one of 50 recordings chosen that year to be added to the National Recording Registry. It was also included in the list of Songs of the Century, by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.

My memory of this hymn is from the 2nd and 3rd grades with my teacher Mrs. Knaptain (i would call her mrs. napkin), we would always have a time of singing. Not sure of many of the other songs we sung but "Swing Low" was one of her favorites. Can you imagine an elementary school teacher today singing old hymns in class? That would never happen of course but I love my memory of 25 2nd and 3rd graders belting it out!!

A band of angels comin' after me, comin for to carry me home......

I am so glad that Cash will be able to hear more verses of this song-I keep singing the same ones over and over, he really doesn't seem to mind!



Oh, I love today's praise music, but there is nothing like the good 'ole church music I experienced growing up!!

Cillian's World

What has been going on with Cillian?

1. He likes to get his hands dirty, play in the dirt and sometimes eat it! Look closely in the photo above and you will see the hole of dirt. He just had to take a break from inchworm to have a taste!

2. Food is still one of his favorite things. He tried figs for the first time last week-loved them! He tried tacos last night-loved them! Oh, he also loved the black olives and couldn't get enough.

3. He and I have been loving this weather. We love our one on one time while Cash is nappin' and I am so o.k. with them not nappin' at the same time. Cillian and I have been having a grand time together enjoying nature!

4. This is gonna be TMI--but I have never, ever seen a baby poop so many times a day --ever!

5. He loves to stand on the stool in the bathroom, get a toothbrush and rinse it under the water. Very cute. I will have to get a picture of that!

6. Cillian loves music. Loves to laugh. Loves to clap. Loves for you to chase him. Loves for you to tickle him.

7. Cillian always wakes up from nap or in the morning with a huge grin!

8. Other than bunnies, Cillian thinks all animals are dogs. Whenever he sees one he says, "Daagee."

9. He likes playing with all kinds of brushes. My hairbrush, my makeup brush you name it! I have to give it to him --he uses them properly. Oh, along with the tv remote.

10. Cillian loves his brother, Cash. He watches his every move, imitates him and is enthralled by Cash's hair!

Can't Beat Good Friends

Don't ya just love having fantastic friends? You know the kind of friend that you don't talk to for a couple of weeks or the kind of friend you see only once every couple of months, but you pick right back up where you left off. I love it when friendships don't miss a beat!

Well, Cash has that kind of friendship with my best friend's daughter, Hailey. Cash and Hailey might not see each other for a couple of months but get them together and you would think they were best friends and see each other all the time. I love it! so do they

My best friend lives in VA and she has 2 daughters, Hailey and Catherine. We met them at the park the other day so the kiddos could play and Leanne and I could catch up before they went back to VA. Not much catching up on our part (or at least mine) I chased Cillian all over the park. Everyone had such a terrific time and the weather was perfect!

Hailey jumped off the wall first and landed on her bottom. Here she is waiting for Cash to follow her lead!

I love this picture of Cash, Hailey and Catherine. Hailey and Cash are playing with bubbles and Catherine wants some of the action. It is almost as if Cash is interupting a girl moment!

My sweet baby Cash on the jungle gym. I think this is right before he yelled "Mama, I am in trouble!" Leanne got such a kick out of him yelling that he was in trouble. She said, "oh, that means he needs help!" Yep! (one of Cash's new favorite words)

I love it when friends can pick right up where they left off, but I hate it when they have to go home. I really wish our visits could be longer--course it can never be enough, right?