Results tagged “holidays” from Momtourage: Blogger Knows Best

 

  Halloween has really become like another holiday in our culture.  This year, with it falling on a Saturday, the madness was really ramped up another notch.  Lily and her cousins trick-or-treated for hours.  The day culminated in a rousing Halloween pizza party complete with 10 screaming, costumed kids.  Here's a picture of Lily as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, her cousin as Raggedy Ann and her other cousin as the Naked Cowboy (from Times Square Fame - he's always an original this kid, no psuedo-edgy Harry Potter stuff for this munchkin).  Don't worry, he was wearing a full body stocking with long underwear underneath.....but with all that sugar coarsing through his veins he couldn't feel a thing anyway.

.

 

This year, with soooo many people unemployed and the number only rising, take the time to really enjoy the simple things this 4th of July.  Like the freedom to read this blog and not have your text messaging stopped by pro-government, anti populist forces (hello....Iran).   More importantly, really enjoy the company of your friends and family in particular your munchkins.  No matter what age they are they'll always be our munchkins.  And yes it's loaded with carbs but it's only potato salad.  Eat it for gods sake.  You can go back to the gym....or Harry.....or however you work off those calories on Monday.  Happy birthday America.

Yes, our favorite July Fourth birthday girl this year, of course, is the United States of America. (She's turning 233 and looks great for her age.) But running a very close second is President Barack Obama's eldest daughter Malia. She turns 11 on July 4, which is only fitting for the daughter of an American president. The White House is (of course) mum on any plans for Malia's birthday, but when her younger sister Sasha turned 8 back in June, the first fam celebrated by seeing The Lion King in London and visiting the studio where the latest Harry Potter movie is filming. Now that's a memorable birthday for a kid. (We can think of a few adults who would have enjoyed it, too.)

Here's a small sampling of some other high-profile July 4 milestones:

President Calvin Coolidge, composer Stephen Foster ("Oh, Susanna"), author Nathaniel Hawthorne, and playwright Neil Simon all share July 4 birthdays. On a more morbid, but strangely fitting note, Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe all died on July 4. Adams and Jefferson, in fact, died on the same day--July 4, 1826.

Get more on the Fourth of July:

• Presidential Kids Match Game
• Make a Patriotic Flag Ice Cream Cake
• Fun Food Finds for July 4
• Host a Summer Party for Less

--Laura Motta
Producer, Momtourage

 

Lily's class had an Easter slash Passover party last week.  She absolutely adores both holidays so the party was a real treat for her.  I have to admit I love spring too...in fact I wish it would show up one of these days...it's cold as ever and miserable here in the northeast.  So, any kind of celebration that marks a change of season is always welcome to us.  Her teacher asked us all to donate $5 for the supplies so I didn't even have to bake for this party.....I'm loving her teacher more every day.

 

  Here's a picture of Lily standing next to the table of goodies (and that was just the dessert!) at the Easter Party we attended this past weekend in Brooklyn.  Thank god it was held in a night club with a huge dance floor so the kids could run off all that sugar.   The peeps and juice pouches alone were enough to propel her into outer space...nothing gets you higher than high fructose corn syrup.  If she gets the same amount of chocolate this year from family members as she did last year than I think the tooth fairy will be visiting soon too...and he'll be giving her dental floss instead of money.

It's that time of year again. You know, when your local drug store clears out the Christmas clearance items and replaces them with enormous heart-shaped boxes of low-quality chocolate.

And you're excited about it, right? Right?

.

 

Considering our bleak economy (or at least that's what the media war drum keeps beating), the war and all the job losses this past year, I made it very clear to many of our friends that we are no longer exchanging gifts for Christmas & Hanuhkah.  I explained that not only were we doing it for monetary reasons but to reduce stress levels (mine, as I do ALL the shopping) and to emphasize "less is more" for our children (or at least my child).  I explained that we'd much rather spend time with our friends and loved ones this holiday season (and from now on) rather than money. 

.

 

Nope! This isn't a holiday bargain hunting and gathering tale, it is a story of my son's ecstatic reaction to his gifts this year. S is almost 6 now and this year it really sunk in. Not only completely embracing the power of Santa, Advent Calendar making and counting, tree decorating and cookie making BUT Chanukah rituals as well. Dreidel playing, singing the blessings while lighting the menorah and gathering with friends at home for an abundance of latkes and cheer.

.

 

Do you remember Bushs' ball gowns and boots inaugural party dress theme?  I know, it's all a blurred bad memory now.  Well, we came up with a variation on that theme for this holiday season: Exhibit A - see Lily on the left.  This is what people all over the country will look like this holiday season: all decked out with snow boots.  Don't you just love Lily's deep turquoise party dress...with her pink snowboots??  We attended my husband's annual Christmas Is For Kids office party last Friday during the snowstorm.  We braved the sleet, snow and falling temps for a fabulous time at a Downtown hotel in Manhattan....and it was all worth it.  Happy Holidays dear readers!!  Love, your Funny Mom

 

Hours after posting Santa Phobia, my post about my 6 year old daughter's irrational fear of jolly Old Saint Nick, my friend sent me these photos of other scared children with that awful Santa.  I don't get it!  Is is the suit?  The beard?  I understand being scared of a giant rabbit at Easter, I get that too, it's like an acid flash back or something.  But this guy is harmless...and he brings presents!!  Enjoy these, I don't know where she got them but they're hilarious... I think I would have felt better if the kids in the photo were 6 years old and up and not visibly babies. 

.

 

No, it's not fear of saints and religious artifacts.  In fact, Santa Phobia has nothing to do with religion at all (just like Santa himself).  It's just that unreasonable fear kids have of that kindly, old fat guy who comes once a year in a red suit bearing gifts.  What's so scary about that?!   Beats me.  Here's a photo of Lily's annual pose with Santa -  with her back to him - that's the only way she'll pose with Santa.  She refuses to make eye contact, typical city kid.  She acts like she just met him on the subway or something.  She's 6 now and still petrified of him.  It's starting to be embarrassing.  Will this ever end?  Are your kids scared or still scared of Santa?  Please share the pain.

Oh dear, the annual teachers' gift collection is not going well for my younger son's class. As a parent who spearheaded not one but two of said collections last year, I completely sympathize with the mom (Yes, it always seems to be a mom, doesn't it?) who is in charge of it this year. That said, I have a few pointers (some learned the hard way) for anyone who ever finds themselves in this somewhat stressful and largely thankless position. Believe me, heeding them will make your job a lot easier.

.

 

I can't believe my baby girl is turning 6 next week.  We had her birthday party yesterday and when it came time to sing Happy Birthday I got all verklempt.  I actually had to hold back the tears.  Suddenly, it hit me.  My baby isn't my baby anymore.  She's growing up faster than I ever imagined.   Enjoy them while you can 'cause before you know it: they don't want to sit on your lap anymore; don't want you to cuddle them; and would much rather walk in front of you than hold your hand.  Cherish your babies while you can and tell them you love them every day.

by mamanongrata

"Mom?" Rhys asks at the dinner table. "Mom? You know who Santa Claus is?"

The hand lifting the fork to my mouth doesn't even tremble.

"Well, yes," I say, slowly, evenly. My eyes meet Rachel's across the table. "I do."

Inside, however, I am moving into crisis mode, trying to quell the five-alarm siren that my son's question has set off in my head. It's okay, I remind myself--you're prepared for this.

.

Feeling a little disillusioned this holiday season? If the thought of spending hundreds of dollars on presents in such a horrible economy (and in a world where there's so much poverty and need) makes you a little queasy, you're certainly not alone.

One family has decided to tackle the issue head-on with a creative project: They've decided, instead of spending lots of money on gifts, to make gifts for each other and donate the difference. As a homemade present for his wife, one member of the family decided to collect a series of open letters, from moms to moms. In the open letters, which you can submit on a web site he's created, women are encouraged to share personal stories, advice and wisdom. Cool, right? And something you could easily (and inexpensively) replicate for a special someone in your life--even if you decide to collect just a few letters from people you know.

A note, a photo, a phone call to someone you haven't talked to in a while--your family members will probably remember any of those things more than a sweater.

Would you ever do something like The Mother Letter Project instead of giving gifts?

Laura Motta
Producer, Momtourage.com

 

I don't know about you but I'm getting the feeling that America is like a junkie looking for it's last big fix before rehab in the new year.  Open bar!   It's like the fall of Rome.  To hell with reality and cost cutting, let's just have a big ole Holiday Party and forget our troubles...that seems to be the mentality in New York City.  However, my husband's company (forever making wise choices) literally gave their employees a choice this year:  big company wide holiday party or bonus.  Thank goodness they chose the bonus.  His department will still have their much looked forward too gathering (pot luck style).  After the news last night that the senate did not pass the bail out for the auto industry, I wonder if all those big financial firms down town will still be having their holiday parties...hopefully they'll be byob this year.  Lily's Kindergarten class is still having the prerequisite cupcake party.....now that I can afford.  Is your company still having a holiday party?  If so, what changes have been made to it?  Now just be thankful you still have a job.

 

As I posted earlier today, my husband is very anti-Christmas including the decorations.  So, to reduce seasonal stress I try to use ones that won't depress him too much and cause him to fly off into one of his 'it's so commercial' rants (I call them Blitzen Fits).  See our peace frog and Christmas Lobster....definitely not Kosher for my side of the family.  One thing we both agree on:  we both detest those giant, outdoor, snow globe things that use a fan to blow bits of styrofoam around encased Santas or Snowmen.  It's like, "Oh look, Santa's got respiratory problems."  Weird and such a waste of electricity.

.

 

My husband hates Christmas decorations so in order to keep the peace in our home over the holidays we have to put up lights that barely have anything to do with the season.  Our daughter is just glad that we have any lights up whatsoever so she's oblivious to the obviously out of season Diving Dolphin light at right.  Just the ritual of putting up the decorations was enough excitement for her.  What concessions are you making this holiday season?

 

Velour hoodie by BodenUSA: $7
 
Leap Frog hand-held Leapster: $15
 
Wooden play table, including a 16-piece train set: $30
 
Gifting the kiddies without breaking the bank: Priceless
 
Whoever said, "you never get a second chance to make a first impression" clearly hasn't set foot in a resale consignment shop lately.

  

.

 

Every year on Black Friday, some store offers crazy discounts (like a laptop for $50) to the first 5 shoppers (or some other number) which always results in angry mobs crushing some poor soul.  This year, the Walmart in Valley Stream, NY gets this prestigious honor but every year it's the same story.  We can't whine that it's the economy because this has been happening for years.  I provided commentary on this very topic for Court TV , check out the link to my clips.  Why do people feel the need to get up at 3am for these so-called Door Buster deals??  Don't they know it's just a ruse to get you in the door?  That they only have one or two of these items?  What happens to people around the holidays that makes them so crazy?  Is it the fruitcake?  Is it the endless, awkward hours spent with family?  Is it the cards?  They never stop coming.  It's not Sarah Palin anymore.  During the election, sometimes I'd feel like stampeding a mall after listening to her speak.  What possesses people?

.