We decided to have a little fun with our Christmas season this year. For those of you who do not know our tradition...we celebrate the 12 days of Christmas usually enjoying family time and doing for others. Here is the recap of the twelve days and our treasure hunt clues:
Day 1
On the first day of Christmas the celebration starts
But we all know that there is more on our parts.
We can have fun for twelve days
To celebrate the king of all ways.
Let’s have a little fun by looking where it is cold
But is not freezing and do not stand with the door open we are told.
This first clue led them to the frig on Christmas morning. They loved finding the clue to get things started. However, our main focus was going to Mass and celebrating the birth of our Savior. We also enjoyed a nice dinner. We like to change it up a bit and not have the traditional American fare. This year we enjoyed an Asian theme...just because we love egg rolls, sushi, and fried rice along with all the other dishes! It was also an easy meal as Michael had to go to work to relieve the morning crew! Everyone deserves time with their family on Christmas day and his company runs a 24 hour schedule year round!
We also had MANY family pictures taken throughout the day. We long for the day when we can get everyone back together at the same time to make a true family picture. However, we did the best we could...and always leave a space for those who are not with us. They are there in our hearts!
Day 2
On the second day of Christmas, the two turtle doves are cheeping
This present will not be close by so you need to start out leaping.
Your Christmas treasure hunt begins at the Shrine of Texas Liberty
Come down and visit and along the way, some other sights you’ll see.
Do not forget your next clue
A friend of history will glad share with you!
By this time, we had the joy of having Christina and Shane back with us. They made the big announcement that they were expecting a GIRL in June and would name her Madison Rose! Very exciting as we got to watch the gift of life in 4D sonogram. I cannot tell you how excited we all are for our family to have this special blessing in our lives. She is already loved tremendously and a part of our family. We look forward to meeting her face to face this summer! Praise God for life!
Then we were off to see the Alamo...or so we thought...but did you know that the days between Christmas and New Year's Day are the prime tourist season for the Alamo? We did not...so we ended up geocaching down the River Walk. We found an amazing war memorial that we recommend everyone visiting if ever in San Antonio. And then enjoyed the lights along the river, which is truly a beautiful sight! Since we did not go to the Alamo, Michael was our friend of history...a good choice!
Day 3
This clue is for the next day
No need to rush along your way.
On the Third Day of Christmas, closer to home you’ll be seeking
For fun things, new and old, but remember: No Peeking!
Then to find the next day of fun do not use your fingers to eat;
That is just rude and not neat!
We gave this clue upon our return from the River Walk because we knew we would be in a rush throughout the mourning. Christina and Shane played games with the boys and we enjoyed a nice lasagna dinner before sending them on their way back to Washington. We will miss the excitement of their visit but are thankful for the fond memories. Oh, how we hated to send them off to the plane! We look forward to our visit with them this summer!
Day 4
The fourth day of Christmas brings four calling birds.
A fitting response to the day of our Lord!
You know what this day means so do not be absurd.
Let us try to find a way to do some good for one accord.
Maybe it will bring us a good feeling or save someone’s life
It might even bring us the next clue so go with haste and no strife!
Our plan for the day was to take household supplies to our local food bank after Mass. However, when we arrived to drop things off, there was a large sign asking donations to be put on hold until the first week of January! Bummer! However, the intent was there and we will return with our supplies when it is best for them! Maybe we can take even more by that time!
Day 5
The song seems to think this is an important part
The five golden rings are sung in great fervor on this day
We remember the first books of the Old are from the heart!
So we will go back to the place in Texas that is the heart they say.
Another friend of history will give us something new
The next clue might be a nifty buckaroo
So...another day filled with Texas history. We decided we needed to try another attempt and visit ALL the missions of San Antonio. We started out early but it was busy every where we went. We did have a lot of fun, but we had other plans for the two oldest boys in the evening. Thankfully, we took two cars, but the younger ones and I did not make it to the Alamo again!
We did have an amazing park ranger play Christmas tunes on his replica instruments! He was also very excited to tell us about the various traditions that we will try to attend next year...Los Posados and another as well. Also, there are traditions to look forward to for Easter as well.
Michael took the older boys on a River Boat Tour with the home school teen group. They had so much fun singing carols and waving at the tourists walking along the river. The guide for their boat was very impressed with our teens, which of course makes a momma proud!
We also delivered a meal for a family who recently had their 12th baby...on December 12th! It was a joy to serve a home cooked meal to this sweet family who were much appreciative!
Day 6
We are half way there and having lots of fun
The six geese a laying remind us of God’s job done.
We’ll enjoy some of God’s creation and have a little fun
And look for something unique to view for each and every one
Look around and you might see
A clue about family.
This clue was given after Michael took the boys to the "Buckaroo" museum...a western art museum with lots of hands on activities. The clue was a little confusing for me at first, but I was glad to have Michael's help writing clues so I went with it! We do not usually have individual gifts for Christmas. However, it worked out well as the clue was leading us to the next day events at my mom's house. When we arrived, Amanda was there and had little gifts for all her siblings. Of course, the greatest gift was seeing her again after several months! (pictures soon...as they were taken on different camera!)
Day 7
The Sacraments number seven, the same as the swans today
To help us grow in love, and lead us on our way
So let us then, lead onward, for fun and something more
For treats for our eyes, and yummy food galore
Today the old year’s ending, but look from far to near
A clue is soon appearing, to begin the New Year.
We enjoyed a visit at my mom's house. We enjoyed good food, good company and lots of games and TV shows together (Bones marathon with Gramma!).
Day 8
The Octave of Christmas, of eight milkmaids we sing
Remind us of the Beatitudes, and other special things
We honor Mary our Queen, and begin a New Year
So let us love each other, with a hug and lasting cheer
This leads us to tomorrow, and something you might like
A clue attached to something…could it be a bike?
Day 9
The nine ladies dancing on this special day
Bring to mind the Spirit and the Fruits that we display
Of course it does not hurt to see dancing in the street
Or at least some display of that bike that is so sweet
The season is not over do not forget to start the year right
After picking up the bike, remember the star so bright!
These two clues led to a special surprise! After we praised God for the Mother of God (a special feast that comes on the 8th day because it is the traditional day of purification after a birth for the Jewish culture.), we enjoyed a little more time at my mom's house. Then we gave these clues.
We really do not do individual gifts for Christmas, so it might seem odd to anyone looking in seeing us on this day. However, Edward lost his bike before Thanksgiving...it was stolen outside of his friend's house. We were all pretty worked up about it but not much we could do to remedy. We had hoped his bike would turn up and all would be well again. No such luck! The boys really enjoy riding their bikes together and everyone who talked to us volunteered to buy him a new bike. We decided it would happen when the time was right.
The second clue came after going to First Friday Mass with our homeschooling group. A simple message to trust in God as we begin the new year was just right for the children (and adults) to understand.
After much ado and many people insisting, we had the money to replace his bike and it was given to him in the spirit of Christmas giving which showed the love of all those who care about our children. I thought it was a good way to celebrate! Of course, it rained on that day but it did not stop the boys from riding together again!
Day 10
Where has the Christmas season gone?
Why are we almost done?
The ten lords are leaping for our soul
As the Ten Commandments become our goal.
I suppose those dudes would have a lot of fun
If they were to come here with everyone!
Now this clue came about because of our social bug...Edward! He has friends all over the neighborhood! He insisted that his friends needed a fun day just for them before starting back to school. His friends would start school on Monday but we had another week of vacation. So, he created Dude's Day! A day to celebrate his "dude" friends! Another friend set up the games and movies for the day and I made snacks to feed an army of dudes! They had a blast and I got a quiet house! LOL! No pictures...the memories will just have to dance in their heads, but I think we havea new tradition!
Day 11
The faithful men of Jesus are found on this day
Showing up as 11 pipers to show the Christian way.
We head to Mass to hear the Word of God.
Then off to the water we must plod!
And we might take a notion
To see God’s creatures in the ocean!
After Sunday Mass, we decided to take the children to the new aquarium in town. We had a great time touching rays, skates, and sharks. And Zaira got to take a picture with a mermaid! It was crowded but we were okay with a short visit knowing that we can go back when it is not so crowded (An annual pass was less expensive than one trip for our big group!)
Day 12
On the 12th day of Christmas the drummers arrive
And we find out the rhythm of the day
The twelve beliefs for which we strive
To guide come what may!
We had so much fun in the water, so let’s double up
Grab your poles and see what fish say blub blup!
The plan was to go fishing on the pond by our house. Unfortunately, the warm weather did not hold and it was freezing this morning! We decided (and the boys agreed) that we would take a rain check on that adventure! The day was spent relaxing and staying warm inside!
I am thankful that the children know the true meaning of Christmas, although I am not sure we quite got to the treasure (showing the love of Christ to others) that we had hoped in time to finish out the season. We have not given up and hope to complete the tasks of giving to others before the month of January is through.
We also have our big gift of sharing with others to come. We plan to give school supplies to 150 school children to help them through the second half of the school year. We had it all set up to deliver but the supplies we ordered did not arrive. We know it will happen soon and we will tell you all about it when it does! God's timing not ours in all things!
The wise men came to seek Him,
We went to Mass to celebrate and then we enjoyed an Epiphany event with our fellow home schoolers! The organizer set up an Epiphany treasure hunt for the children after a dramatic reading of the Bible story from Matthew 2:1-12. The children read the story in parts. Then she had 12 clues with Bible readings. The clues showed different numbers of objects (1-12). I thought it was very creative and the children loved running around together looking for the treasure! We ended with a Crown Cake and Star Cookies for refreshments! 
Our Epiphany celebration ended with our family gathering for an Epiphany dinner. Normally, we invite a guest for dinner but we were sadly unable to coordinate with anyone to enjoy with us! God must have known we needed the evening to relax together! The dinner theme was all about the number three! Here is the menu:
The Christmas season does not officially end until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord this Sunday! Thankful for that as I finally got Christmas cards mailed the next day! And I can still talk about Christmas on the blog without feeling guilty for the delay! SO...
