For as long as I can remember, Santa Claus has been an active participant in my family’s Christmas tradition. My parents were really big on the magic of the season, and they went to elaborate lengths to make the holiday special for my two sisters and me. This included a personal visit from the big man himself. Each year after the early children’s Christmas Eve … [Read more...]
The Joy of Christmas and the Three Gift Rule
I remember how much my parents loved Christmas and made sure to make it extra special for my sisters and me. My mother made a gingerbread house each year and painted a holiday scene on the front storm door. My dad dressed up as Santa, and my mother threw pebbles on the roof to sound like reindeer hoofs. These people didn’t fool around. Of course the big event was when my … [Read more...]
The Christmas Music War
In just a few short days, a battle’s going to break out in my (mostly) happy home. Every November, my family starts its annual Christmas Music War. Each year it’s me against my husband, Joe, and the three darlings that I brought into this world. I might add after a collective 36 hours of labor and three, count them three, C-sections. This year, I’m taking a proactive … [Read more...]
Making Our House a Home
This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. A few weeks ago my kids were looking at some old photos from when our oldest, Tom, was a toddler. Back then we were living in a sweet little house in Queens. It brought back so many memories seeing my first baby as he was watching Blue’s Clues in our pink living room decorated with a pastel colored sofa, throw pillows … [Read more...]
How a Heart Attack Gave Me Back My Father
At the end of this month, I will be 51. I’m now almost three years older than my dad was when he had the heart attack that changed his life and our relationship forever. The year was 1988. I still remember sitting on the Long Island Railroad, not knowing what I would face when the train pulled in the station. Smart phones and social media weren’t part of our daily diet, and … [Read more...]
