Sending Christmas Cards.... Is the Tradition Still Strong?

 I started making our Christmas cards today.  I see all these nice cards online and get inspired with all great ideas... then I sit down to create and it's not as easy as it looked!

Is sending Christmas cards a dying tradition?  I used to send to everyone in my address book, give to co- workers and friends.  I also tried keeping track of who didn't send one back and then thought of not sending one thier way the following year-that is too much work and I realize that my good intention doesn't have to be duplicated, if that was the response that I was looking for, then I was sending them for the wrong reason.  I still do the last minute scramble when I receive a card from someone I didn't send to, and hurry one out to the mailbox for them. 

I used to display all the cards that we received from others along a doorway or something similar, now I put them in a little Christmas basket.

I like to include a photo in the Christmas cards; either a family picture or at least one of Sergio V.

So, who will I send to this year?  All our family, and OUR friends.  Will everyone get a handmade card?  Not at the rate I'm going.....  :)
 

The Old Man In The Mountain

Have your attention?  Okay he's not in a mountain but my husband turned 45! LOL! It's funny how any age that was even close to 50 seemed ancient!  I don't view it that way anymore but I do think I could use some botox in a few areas!  I hate wrinkles!
Here are some pictures of the celebrations!

Opening his birthday cards.

Pleased with his gifts from us!

Birthday Dinner: Snapper, Potatoes, Bread and Cheesecake.

SVZ wanted to blow out the candle! 

Happy Birthday Yeah!!!!

Friday night birthday party at our house.

Juan and Robert

SVZ and Star

SVZ and Tia Sandra

Guille and Lari

Andrew, Juan and Richie

Teacher's Helper

Yesterday on my day off, I got to go to school!  Kindergarten that is!  Sergio's kindergarten lets one parent a day come in and volunteer during the morning for about an hour and a half to help out.

First rule: what happens in kindergarten stays in kindergarten; but I can tell you about it generically! 

The kids do 'centers' each morning.  There is 4 tables of 4 children and they alternate to the 'centers' tables for about 10 minutes per table.  My station was the art table!  I had a total of 15 darling kids come up, one table at a time and make a black cat with me!  This allowed them to cut, glue, think about eyes, a nose, and how to place whiskers! Talk about cutie-pies!

When I first arrived, the kids were still in a large group setting discussing a book that the teacher had just finished reading.  Sergio called out clear across the room, "HI MOM!" 
When Sergio was at my Art center making his cat, he really did well!  He listened to the directions and made an adorable cat!   He told me he loved me.... apparently one too many times as another kid firmly told him, 'Sergio, you already said that!"

When Sergio was at the other centers, he was really well behaved.  His teacher also noted that to me.  I was very proud of my little man!!!!!

After centers, the kids got ready to go to lunch.  I proceeded to the copy center to make copies for the teacher before I left.  It was a great day being able to give of myself.  I am scheduled to help again in two weeks.  I do not know how that one kindergarten teacher handles all 16 of those kids at 4 revolving centers by herself! She's an old pro, though and I believe this is her last year teaching.  Sergio lucked out! :)

Happy Fall Y'All!

My front porch fall decoration is disappearing... straw by straw!  :)