NANA SAYS TOO MUCH CHRISTMAS IS HARD ON CHILDREN

There is so much around the Christmas season that not only parents but children can become exhausted with the excitement.

So how to rein it in with some quiet and simple moments.

My daughter Sonya has written a wonderful blog post on that theme.
House of Kerrs

As a Nana who just had a 5 grandchildren sleepover and the 6th who stayed for dinner and the evening, I will tell you what works.

Active play. The boys went off to the basement and played floor hockey and shot baskets.

The two little ones went to the craft room and painted and did pictures. Also one room is full of Christmas items- books, musical boxes, empty pretty boxes to stack and a Christmas tree for the kids with ornaments they can touch. I also have a nativity station they can touch and read the Christmas story.

Yes the house was noisy.

Feeding children works healthy along with treats.

The board games work. They like Rummy O as well as Nana likes to play with the children.

Watching children's shows and good old fashioned Christmas movies.

Being home. A walk in the snow. Helping parents shovel the driveway. The old build a snowman is a good activity. Snow angels. If a hill, slide down it.

For parents, a sleepover at the grandparents works for some nights. Gives a break for party time and the need for couples to regroup.

I love the Christmas season. So spreading out the activities helps to slow things down.
How about you? How do you slow Christmas down for children?
#nanasaysslowdownchristmas#childrengetexcitedatchristmas#activitiesforchildren#readhouseofkerrsforideas#agrandchildrensleepover#havingactivitiesforchildren#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#childrenmakethehousenoisy

CHRISTMAS IMAGES OF PAST YEARS

My sign by the door to welcome everyone.

Outdoor lights at night.

Adolph's favourite prickly pear and pomegranate.

 Years of Christmas mittens by the Bay to raise money for the athletes.

Tims with a different cup each year for Christmas.

Hiding an elf.

Pretty poinsettias.

Toronto's Christmas Market- always lots of lights and good food.
So what images will I find this year.
#Christmasimagespastyears#lotsofChristmasimages#lightsatChristmas#lotstocelebrateatChristmas#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

MUSIC SOOTHES THE SOUL- ESPECIALLY CHRISTMAS MUSIC

I love Christmas carols! My favourite is Come all ye Faithful!

This year I like other songs too.

The one that is touching me and my soul is- All I want for Christmas is You.

There are many versions. So it does not matter which one.
What is your favourite?
#christmasmusic#christmascarols#allIwantforChristmasisyou#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CHRISTMAS IS A TIME TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY

Christmas has so many opportunities to give to the community.

Toy drives. Food Bank donations. Giving to major charities at home and abroad.

There can be an awareness of how much some people have and others have not.

What I love about the toy drives is the fact that every child who needs and wants one can have a gift from Santa. Not just Christian children but all children.

Even some of the food baskets  go to families of other faiths. It is the spirit of Christmas.

So after donating to the Police toy and new clothes drive, Metroland adopt a family, goodies for the food bank and some monetary donations to my usual charities, I think I am done.

I have to stop. I tell myself- Barb you can not save the world alone.

But if everyone just picks something or someone at Christmas, the giving does make the world a better place.

My mother used to invite someone each Christmas that did not have a place to go. So including someone alone or facing grief or a family struggling to the festive event is an easy thing to do.

Why? Because most of us cook for an army, not just a family! Always way too much food!!

Or the usual family members and make the dinners special.

Okay so the next time I am asked by a clerk do you want to donate to our company charity, will I say no. Probably not!! Usually-put me down for $5.00. Maybe I still have that need to try to save the world.
#christmasisatimeforgiving#reachingouttoothersinourcommunity#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#caringaboutthecommunity#beingpartofthelargercommunity#

NANA SAYS CHILDREN'S CONCERTS ARE FUN

I went to the Winter Wonderland concert at my grandchildren's school last night. To be politically correct words were changed in some songs to leave out Christmas. Although there was a song for Kwanzaa.

However the music playing before the event was Christmas carols. Hum.

For me it was such a reminder of my time in school performing in the event. Then my children and their concerts. Happy memories.

To be there seeing 3 of my sweet grandchildren perform with their classmates was very endearing.

To keep with modern times there was an area with a winter scene and props to do selfies or take regular pictures. So of course this Nana had a pic with my granddaughter.

What I love is each child feels like a star for their time on stage! Healthy good feelings. Important for self-esteem and growth.

Nothing changed as the noise level in the gym was loud. As usual it was not the children talking but the adults!

Being part of children's lives is such a privilege.
#christmasconcerts#childrenperforminginplaysandsongs#beingpartofachild'slife#feelinglikeastaronstage#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#beingthereforgrandchildren

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS-CARRIE READ'S DOILIES

I was fortunate when getting married ( 1971) to belong to the Carville United Church. The ladies made some beautiful quilts to raise money for the church. Many of the members were quite prolific in other hand work.

The leader of the Woman's group was Carrie ( Caroline) Read.

She was born Caroline E. Baker to William Baker and Rose A. Miller. Born 1898 and died 1978. She is buried in Carville Cemetery in Vaughan. Her husband Adam John Read is buried beside her.( 1894-1957) The families can be found in the 1911 Canadian Census for Vaughan.

I have a wonderful collection of doilies that she made for shower and wedding gifts to me.

They are such beautiful works of art.

I contacted the local Heritage Centre to determine if they would want them for their collection. An acknowledgement but no response. So it could mean they are not interested.

I have tried to find some descendants of Mrs. Read in case family would want her handiwork.

The Baker family from Vaughan is part of the area's rich history.
#carrieread#adamjohnread#bakerfamily#millerfamily#carvilleunitedchurch#doilies#handiwork#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CELINE-WHAT A CONCERT

My daughters bought a ticket to the Celine Dion concert in Toronto as a Mother's Day present back in May.

So last night December 9, she performed at the Scotiabank Arena in front of 20,000 plus people.

What a performer!

We took the UP from the Weston Station to Union so to avoid the parking and traffic issues around the downtown core of Toronto.

So the concert. An adventure on the UP. Being downtown. Being part of an event. So much fun.

#celinedion#concertinthecity#takingtheUP#somuchfun#beingoutwithmydaughters#seeingawonderfulshow#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro