Month: January 2014
A Tree in our Backyard
Of the four largest trees in our backyard, one oak is particularly huge and well-formed. We’ve had a lot of fun in this tree, and John, Daniel, and Gloria have all become expert tree climbers because of the practice it affords. John and Daniel in particular have some great tree-climbing accomplishments. With the help of a rope and ladder, they have managed to reach heights of over 30 feet! Even those branches are pretty thick, though, so they have been allowed to keep climbing on the condition that they be careful and use the ropes.
About 20ft up the tree.
With John’s helpful counsel, even I, Julianne, managed to climb up the tree. I barely got 10 feet up before coming down, though. I’m nowhere near as talented at climbing trees. I leave that to my gifted brothers! (And, of course, Gloria.)
John helping me climb!
Just yesterday John climbed up the tree. After crawling along a fairly straight branch, he managed to fasten a thick coil of rope around it. Now we have a tree swing!
Doesn’t it look like fun?
First Post: Christmas Eve at the Cassetta Home
I know that it’s not Christmas Eve anymore, but I’m hoping that there are still people who will want to read about it anyway.
On Christmas Eve, we have a few traditions. We invite our family or friends over, eat tamales and posole, and play a game called “The Grab Bag”.
Posole
Tamales
Christmas cookies and my attempt at mince pies
I don’t know how the Grab bag tradition started or who made it up, but it’s definitely a highlight of every Christmas Eve. Mommy fills a huge bag with unwrapped gifts, and we take turns passing the bag around and picking things out. There is another rule, though. You can’t look when it’s your turn to pick something.
As the game progresses, we begin trading. Gloria had quite a few offers this time, and ended up with some of the best candies and other items.
It was a lot of fun to see our relatives and make some advantageous trades with them. Well, advantageous for Gloria…