Two Kid Schoolhouse

• Jan. 5, 2006 - On The Twelfth Day Of Christmas

Posted in Twelve Days of Christmas 2005

A very mysterious gift - a spiral-bound manuscript of a 245-page book written by... my nephew! Meant to call about this tonight but too late once again. I don't know if this is something I should remember, or... The title is Andy Robinson and the Secret at Willow Wood Manor. My quick browse through it makes me think it's Hardy Boys-inspired. Hmm... more details may follow.

And now I'm confused. Today is the twelfth day of Christmas but tomorrow is called Twelfth Night. Did we start a day early or is tomorrow really Thirteenth Night - a name which would never do?

The 12 drummers drumming - 12 beliefs stated in the Apostle's Creed. Or, possibly, the 12 tribes of Israel, or the 12 gates of heaven. Lots going on here!

This was sure fun! We have a bunch of photos in that disposable camera to send back. The kids are working on their thank you notes. Sorry, though, J cannot bear to write about every single item! E will go very heavy on the glitter glue so hers will take a couple days to dry.

I'm sure the kids are a little disappointed that the gift-a-day is over. They don't know that Dad and I have a couple of small gifts for them for tomorrow. They were meant to be Christmas gifts but when we counted up the pile on Christmas Eve we decided to hold some back. One of them is a set of the Chronicles of Narnia. Not that we needed more reading material around here.

Thanks Suz and girls!!

• Jan. 6, 2006 - Don't be confused ...

Posted by Anonymous

Theologians and astrologers have disagreed on the concept of Twelfth Night since ... well, since it all started, I suppose. To the astrologers, the 12 days of Christmas begin the day after Christmas, making January 6 Twelfth Night and the conclusion of the Christmas season and the start of the celebrations leading to Mardi Gras. But, theologians say the first day of Christmas is Christmas Day! Legend says that on Twelfth Night you MUST remove your decorations, lest misfortune befall your home in the new year. I say you MUST remove them 'cuz your neighbors do not want to see icicles hanging from your eaves in July (I speak from experience here!). In any event, it is sad to see the Christmas season end but at least if you observe as it was meant to be observed, you have far more fun and, I think, less stress since you do not have to have everything complete and ready on Christmas Eve -- OR ELSE!! If you're still stitching or baking or wrapping or even shopping, you have twelve days of Christmas --- and for that I say hallelujah!! We hope you had as much fun with this as we did preparing it for you. And now that you have the book Teddy wrote, you can better understand the cocoa, popcorn and booklight .... sit and read and encourage him to work hard on getting it published! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night ... especially you, my sister.
Love, Suz

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• Jan. 6, 2006 - P.S.

Posted by Anonymous

The Feast of the Epiphany is often called "Little Christmas" (the Magi and their gifts, you know) so it's the perfect chance to hand out those other presents you have stashed.

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• Jan. 6, 2006 - gifts

Posted by mrsdiamond

you did gifts for 12 days? that is so cool. what a neat tradition and a neat way to savor the gifts instead of just tearing into them all on Christmas day. :)

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• Jan. 6, 2006 - Mrs Diamond,

Posted by hsmomof2

It was my sister's idea and doing. She sent a huge box with 12 gifts for our family, to be opened one each day. My kids loved it! Because of our family configuration - me youngest of 3 and late-in-life Mom - my kids' cousins are all grown up so it was, apparently, great fun for the "big kids" to do too!

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• Jan. 6, 2006 - Hi :-)

Posted by iluvtheland

I noticed that you visited my blog, and wanted to stop by and say hi! Our family has always done the 12 Days of Christmas. My grandmother who was from Germany is the one who started this in our family (or should I say her family? lol) Is this a long standing tradition in your family too?
I also was glad to know that I am not the only "mature" woman on this blog site! I am just a hair older than you. I am always getting teased for being the "granny" of any hs'ing board or blog I post on. Glad that I am not the only one of my kind :-)
I sure wish I still had younger children still at home like you do! Lucky you!
Stop on over anytime,
Kathy

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