Handprint Christmas Cards

When Riley was four or five years old, I tried to get him to make handprint Chirstmas cards.  We got through about ten cards before he got bored.  I gave up on the project and went with something else.

Reese is five this Christmas, and since she likes to draw and do crafty things so much, I thought that I would get out the stuff and try again.  She was all gung ho.  On Sunday we did hands in green, red, white, brown, and black.  My original intention was to only do green, brown, and white.  The other colors were for details.  She wanted red hands for stockings and then we had to come up with something for black hands; they will be penguins.

Every night she has pushed me to do these Christmas cards and I usually give in.  The white hands were made into Santas (Family Fun Magazine idea), and they are all complete.  The green hands are Christmas trees, and she has four left to decorate.  Tonight's project is the reindeer (another Family Fun Magazine idea).  There were only five brown hands so she is doing all the reindeer tonight.

Once all the hands are complete, we will probably have to do some more because she has so many friends that she wants to give cards to now.  If she takes mine, I will not have enough, so we will make more for everyone!

Nicknames

One of the other bloggers posted something about wanting her children to be called by their given names, not shortened versions or nicknames, which got me to thinking about my children's names and nicknames.

When Riley was born, my brother in law asked me what we were going to call him since RyRy was already taken.  I looked at him funny and said Riley.  What was the purpose in shortening his name?  As he grew older, some nicknames came naturally.  I called him BoBo because of the way his legs were bowed and he use to make his mouth look like a bow.  His dad liked Bubs better and we go back and forth between the two.  He is also called Ri especially by his YaiYai.  He is also sometimes RP1, and his sister is RP2.  We also lovingly call him Dork of York.

Reese has always had lots of nicknames.  She has been Sis Wis, Sister of Twister, Moo Shu Pork, etc.  The ones that have stuck are Sis, Sister, Moo Moo, for her love of chocolate milk, and Reesie Cup.  Her brother calls her Reesie, and she calls herself Reesie.  I tend not to call her Reesie because the dog next door is named Reesie.

Culture Project Part 5

What other languages besides English are spoken in your home?

Besides English half of my family speaks Thai and half of my family speaks Tagalog.

We turned in the culture project today.  Included in the project were the picture of the lightswitch cover and the pictures of food from Thanksgiving as well as pictures of grandparents on both sides of the family and Riley's immediate family.  I also found a picture of Grandpa Palanca and 6 of his grandchildren whose names start with "R".

Culture Project Part 4

What holidays does your family celebrate?  List some of them.  Do you incorporate any traditions from other cultures as part of your celebrations?

The holidays we celebrate are Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and birthdays.  We have regular American food with some Filipino food for every holiday.  On birthdays we eat noodles for long life.

Sharing with Others

Last week at church both of you picked tags from the giving tree.  I explained to you that these are gift that we are going to but to give to someone else that has less than we do.  I was proud that both of you picked tags of things that you would like to have for yourselves, but also know that you will be giving to someone else.

Today, we went to Target to pick out those gifts.  Reese's tag said Pokemon cards.  I never know there were so many kinds of Pokemon cards, but we found a gift box that was satisfactory to both of us to buy.  Riley's tag said Air Hog.  He picked out a red remote control helicopter to fulfill this wish.

We walked out of Target today with no gifts for ourselves, but gifts for others!  Good day!

In the Name of the Culture Project

Pancit and Egg Rolls

Traditional American Thanksgiving

Sumon


I don't normally take pictures of the food buffet, but this year I did in case we needed the pictures for the culture project.  One of the questions addresses holidays we celebrate and how they are the same or different than the way holidays are traditionally celebrated.

Thanksgiving 2011

I am thankful for both of you in my life.  You have taught me a great deal and have been a blessing in my life.  I have learned so much about you as people and so much about myself as a person and a parent.  I love you with all my heart.

Although I love that you are young and in some ways I wish that you would stay young, I also look forward to seeing the people you will grow up to be.  I know that Riley is a sensitive, caring young man who is very smart and will do well in following his dreams.  I am so thankful that you have found archery as your interest activity and hope that archery continues to be a source of pleasure for you.  Reese, you will go far in life because you are bound and determined!  There is no stopping you when you are set on a course.  I enjoy your drawing abilities on PAPER and am so thankful that you enjoy school and have made many friends.

Happy Thanksgiving 2011!