Coffee CubBuster

Happy Birthday Jesus! I ran out of food coloring so my red velvet cake was pink velvet. I also substituted butter milk with half and half. I don't recommend this. It's sweet and edible, but not moist and amazing.  Our first Christmas in our home meant Matthew had the carving honors. At least the main dish turned out better than Jesus' birthday cake. Dollar store toy was a hit! A train that goes in circles.... who would have thought... gotta love how simple it is when we have our first Christmas. Why change it? Loved seeing friends who came in town with some new additions to the group. Silas looks ginormous already. Someone please slow the clock down! Silas is blessed to have many loving grandparents. Didn't get a pic with the grandfathers this year, but Silas was loving the sugar from his Gramma. Our tradition: Smith family Christmas morning brunch. Oh so delicious! Is it okay that Silas was flirting with my step sisters? Dee Dee wa...

Sometimes life gets messy, so I figured it was time to let Silas explore that fact for himself. Some old baby food and a paint brush were the perfect tools. We gotta smile when life gets messy, right? Silas took his first music class at church, and loved hanging with the other babes. Jingle Jam was fun, but Silas kind of liked eating the bells more than ringing them. I'm not surprised in the least... This is hands down my favorite face that Silas makes... his dimple says it all: "Mommy, you're just crazy!" We went shopping for our Christmas dinner, and Silas wouldn't let go of the bacon. He's already just like his daddy. Easy pre-Christmas dinner that is festive and tasty:  vegetable pasta with chicken, peas, edamame, paprika, tomato sauce and some other spices. Mmmmmm.... Just warming up the abdomen for the main event. ~CubBuster

The dictionary defines tradition as " the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word   of mouth or by practice."  I  have always loved traditions, especially Christmas traditions. I'm not sure what it is, but I think I just love things that come from the past. I love period-piece movies, vintage decor, and hearing stories about "the good ole days."  I guess I was just born in the wrong century. Well, I know that the holidays run away from us, but I am hoping to pass along just a few of my favorite Christmas traditions and memories to Silas.  Tradition #1: cut down our own tree I think the 30 year-old, pictured here, pulled a hammy this year It was a chilly day for tree picking, but we loved it. Tradition #2: make homemade rice krispie treats while setting up the tree. Tradition #14: listen to my favorite Christmas song, "O Holy Night...

I was looking over my students' Christmas break reading: A Christmas Carol (so fitting), and before you say how mean I am to give them homework over the break, they are out an extra week of school: three weeks for my home-school kiddos. Since I know Scrooge's story pretty well, I didn't think I needed to read word for word, but I came across these lines that hit me in a new way this year. When asked how much he would like to give to the poor, Scrooge responds,   'Nothing' he replied.   'You wish to be anonymous?' 'I wish to be left alone,' said Scrooge. 'Since you ask me what I wish gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas, and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support [the prisons and union workhouses] I have mentioned: they cost enough, and those who are badly off go there.' 'Many can't go there; and many world rather die.'  'If they would rather die,' said Sc...

Silas "talked" more during our trip to St. Simons than he ever has. I think he liked the attention. We finally got him to smile for the camera (grandpa that is). Gramma loved reading with her grandson. Well Gramma just loves her grandson. Silas was pretty happy to be with her too. Matthew's aunts and mom fought over our little cub, and they made me look like a giant grizzly. Gotta love um! We can't go to St. Simons without visiting Jennifer. We loved introducing her to Silas. Love you Jennifer! Silas loves food more than anything (maybe even me); Thanksgiving will probably prove to be his favorite holiday. Can you see the drool? Thank you for a great Thanksgiving Smiths! We are so thankful for you! ~ThankfulBuster