[brightonwoman]

<p>December is here. Got any exciting plans for the multitude of approaching holidays?</p>

 

[happyblessedmama]

<p>Jumping in to ask if anyone has ever been to the Zoo Lights in Anchorage... I'd like to know if it'd be worth the money BEFORE I go there (we're pass holders, but it only cuts $1 off the $5 per person thing... which for our family adds up quickly)</p>

 

[roadfamily6now]

<p>Never been, too much money for us too.</p>

 

[brightonwoman]

<p>we used to go to a zoo lights in Washington that was pretty fun...we usually had a zoo membership so we could go free, but we still only went every second or third year, because it didnt' change much, and wasn't THAT exciting. Honestly, if we'd had to pay full price for it, we probably wouldnt' have...so, while I can't speak to what anchorage does or doesn't have, I probably wouldn't go if money is an issue at all. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[liza-s]

<p>Sunday afternoon we were at the zoo until closing (4:30) so it was pretty dark and the lights were on and they were pretty.  We have a membership and I will take my parents there when they come in a few weeks.  I am assuming that the kids will be free (1 and "nearly" 3). I wish the admission for at least member families was by family.  I understand they want to charge extra for after hours, but $5 per person is steep if you have to pay for all the kiddos. My parents get us the zoo membership each year for xmas, so this seems like an appropriate event for us.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We're moving to making Solstice as our big family celebration day. Do you know of any family-friendly solstice celebrations?  I'm actually trying to spread out a week of minor celebrations and events.  We have so much going on I'm trying to not have any crazy crazy days - plus since we're not Christian it seems silly to make Christmas day the big holiday. </p>
<p>12/18 - parents arrive</p>
<p>12/19 Christmas Bird Count (in Eagle River)</p>
<p>12/20 is DS's birthday (#3); Lunar Eclispe beginning at 10:30 pm</p>
<p>12/21 Solstice (A family gift,</p>
<p>12/22 or 23 - Celebration with DH's siblings and families</p>
<p>12/24 Family Dinner, immediate family (traditional night for family gifts)</p>
<p>12/25 Christmas</p>

 

[happyblessedmama]

<p>Ah, thanks. I guess it's a toss up as to whether it'd be more fun that Bouncin Bears half price Mondays Which would be hard to beat for my kids. Maybe I'll make it a special mom-daughter date. I was also disappointed that they didn't discount for members a bit more. Money isn't really "an issue" but I definitely want the kids to have FUN for spending that much money. I don't want to think afterwards - wow, should've done _____ instead </p>

 

[alaskaberry]

<p>We're down in the States for the holidays, so no Gingerbread house contest for us (which is what we would be doing if we were in Fbx for Christmas!). Not sad to be missing the -50 though, I gotta say. </p>

 

[katiesk]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>alaskaberry</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282275/happy-holidays-alaskan-chatters#post_16105163"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>We're down in the States for the holidays, so no Gingerbread house contest for us (which is what we would be doing if we were in Fbx for Christmas!). Not sad to be missing the -50 though, I gotta say. </p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br><p>hey! some friends of mine won the all ages division of the contest this year!</p>

 

[dislocator3972]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>alaskaberry</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282275/happy-holidays-alaskan-chatters#post_16105163"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>We're down in the States for the holidays, so no Gingerbread house contest for us (which is what we would be doing if we were in Fbx for Christmas!). Not sad to be missing the -50 though, I gotta say. </p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br><p>What in the world is the gingerbread house contest? That sounds great!</p>

 

[alaskaberry]

<p><br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>dislocator3972</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282275/happy-holidays-alaskan-chatters#post_16106531"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><br><br><p>What in the world is the gingerbread house contest? That sounds great!</p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br><p>There's a gingerbread house contest in Fairbanks every year. They'll have the rules in the paper sometime soon, I should think. The main requirement is that the house and the grounds be made of gingerbread and candy. I've seen some really cool pics of previous years (mushing teams, tipis, etc).</p>

 

[happyblessedmama]

<p>Popping in to ask if anyone has experience, good or bad, with Northern Lights ABC school in Anchorage.... thanks </p>

 

[alaskaberry]

<p>A bit OT for this time of year, but I was wondering if anyone in Fairbanks does vermicomposting (with worms) in their house? I was hoping to get some worms from someone...buy or barter! I am already thinking about gardening, can you tell? <span><img alt="treehugger.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/treehugger.gif"> We won't be back home til January, but I really wanted to get some started so we'll have it on hand this spring/summer!</span></p>

 

[roadfamily6now]

<p>just got back from Hawaii! I posted tons of pictures on my facebook.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Life is slow here right now, kids have 3 days of school before another break. And I am still unpacking and getting the house back in order.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We are drawing names for the holidays. been doing that for about 9 years now and it works out great. Everyone gets to buy a gift and everyone gets a gift. Plus not having to spend money on 6+ people means you can invest in a more meaningful gift for just that one person. We pulled names last night.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Looking into this "Zero-Gain" holiday thing. Google was not helpful but by logical thinking, I'm guessing we just get rid of stuff we don't want, need, use, etc and so we are not adding to the collective. </p>

 

[rabrog]

<p>Less than 9 weeks until baby Benjamin is born!  C-section is scheduled for Feb. 18th at 8am.  I have a doula coming to help me with breastfeeding (I refuse to rely on FMH this time since I know that's what hurt BFing last time).  We'll be getting my mom's ticket up here in the next few weeks.  DD is so excited, she can't stand it.  DS is probably still thinking he's getting a BIG train...LOL!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My only problem is my doc will be out of town at a conference that weekend and I'll have to deal with the pediatricians on call...bleh.  Hopefully baby Ben is happy and healthy and I can smile and nod each morning til they leave.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Jenn</p>

 

[roadfamily6now]

<p>Oh, good Luck!</p>
<p> </p>

 

[dislocator3972]

<p>Jenn that is so exciting! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I've read your post like 4 times because I can't quite wrap my head around how SOON that is coming.  My DD is Due Mach 10th(ish) and I'm having a hard time understanding how close that is.  !!!</p>

 

[rabrog]

<p>Sarah, are you going with the midwives?  I wish it was an option for me, but given it's not, I think I have a good team.  I got some nursing bras at Bellies and Babies tonight and got DS an "I'm the Big Brother" shirt.  We're ordering a big sister shirt for DD that has a princess on it (her choice, LOL!)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Jenn</p>

 

[RoViMama]

<p>Merry Christmas from Anchorage!!!</p>

 

[roadfamily6now]

<p>Merry Christmas to you too !</p>

 

[liza-s]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>roadfamily6now</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282275/happy-holidays-alaskan-chatters#post_16116446"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br>
Looking into this "Zero-Gain" holiday thing. Google was not helpful but by logical thinking, I'm guessing we just get rid of stuff we don't want, need, use, etc and so we are not adding to the collective. </div>
</div>
<br><br><p>Yup, that's it.  And - no junky gifts.  Coolest gifts here - DD got 5 dolls for her b-day & holidays-- yes excessive for a 1 year old, but 3 are my old dolls. 2 new ones from an aunt & grandma - both sweet little all cloth rag dolls.'  She just loves dolls, especially cabbage patch dolls. My parents saved most of mine, so DD now has 2. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I've been going through & doing a massive purge. Hand-me-downs to friends, charitable donations, freecycle, craigslist/title wave books & consignment stores.  With a 1 & 3 year old it is a constrant process of weeding out the out-grown clothes & toys.  For my own stuff, I'm finally going through my clothes - no more maternity clothes (must get to PP for new birth control...), getting rod of the fat clothes, stained clothes, clothes I just don't really wear.  Books are a constant challenge... My big issue is cooking stuff, when I have less time than ever to cook.</p>