4 Eyes

When we took Karis for her 4 year visit to the doctor she failed her eye exam- bad. After taking her to a pediatric eye doctor we found out that she has a moderate to severe astigmatism. She is doing great wearing her new glasses, her favorite thing about them is that the inside has flowers on them.

Shopping

A lady I know recently started this website: www.CleanUpCVS.com after shopping with her kids at CVS. I've read and signed her petition because I feel the same way when shopping just about anyplace these days, the grocery store, the drug store, the video store. No pressure to read or sign it but wanted to share just in case.

Snow, Snow Come Out in the Snow

If you know my husband you know he LOVES snow, I mean really LOVES snow. Much to his delight we had our first snow storm, we got about 5 inches, which in my opinion is a decent amount of snow and in his opinion is just about a dusting. Anyway, the kids were so excited to got out and play that I braved the cold bundled up and took them out. I think Jotham has his Daddy in and could have stayed out there all day. We went out again later in the afternoon with Mercia, who didn't last long and Jotham stayed outside twice as long as Karis (it was nice for me that Erik was home this time around).

On an more exciting note, I have new niece. She born on December 4th and her name is Evangelene Jerusha Shea (I think, it isn't totally official). I can't wait to meet her in person. My sister-in-law is one of the most wonderful people I know and she is trooper through very difficult pregnancies- I'm so glad everything went well for the delivery. It is such a honor to me that she either has or might have my name.

Christmas Traditions

When I was growing up my parents used to decorate our Christmas tree on Christmas Eve after my brother & I went to bed. I remember one of my highlights from Christmas was waking up in the morning to see the Christmas tree. Erik & I have started a variation of this. One night after Thanksgiving, Erik & I decorate our Christmas tree and then a few hours later we wake up the kids and bring them downstairs to see the Christmas tree and have cookies and milk. I think this is a highlight for Karis as she's been talking about it a lot.

This is a picture of Erik & the kids looking at the tree through special glasses that turn Christmas lights into stars and snowmen. Another tradition we have is to go visit the Winter Lights at Great Seneca. This is a light show that you drive through. Since you are going so slowly we allow the kids to come up front and sit on our laps and eat cookies and drink hot chocolate. They both loved the lights show and wanted to go through again.

Christmas Time

It is Christmas time. Oh the joy. We Sheffers love Christmas, pretty much everything Christmas. We love Christmas Lights, Christmas Cookies, Christmas Trees, Christmas Parties, but most of all we love to celebrate the wonder of God who would humble himself and to be born in a dirty stable.

I love how each family has there own traditions to celebrate this season. As a relatively young family we are still creating our traditions. This year I'm hoping to start a new one: a Jesse Tree. I've heard of these through the years and decided to give it a try this year. If you are interested you can find lots of info on the Internet. I found this site (start at the bottom) and this site (there is a link for patterns you can print and color) helpful.