Merry Christmas Lucy Mae-Mae

Lucy did you like your Ribbon this year?  Did you like the candy or the toys?  Poppa and I miss our girls so much. We are always so happy to talk with you on the phone or watch you dance.  

Poppa and I know you like to dress up in Princess Dresses and that you love Disney princess movies.  We suspected that maybe it is hard to share dolls so thought maybe having extra dolls so everyone could play with their favorite might be fun.  We love seeing your smiling faces and miss you so very much. We are so happy that you live so close to Pops and Deedee.

Did you like the warm bathrobes that Auntie Suzy made you?  I thought she did a wonderful job.  I love that they have your name on them too.  They will help keep you warm after your baths or when you go swimming this summer in Pops and Deedee's pool.  I like the pretty colors.  I bet they are very soft too.

We know you had a really fun Christmas morning.  We miss your hugs and kisses.  We love you and pray for you every single day.

Your Diva

A Bennetch Tradition

  A Bennetch Christmas Tradition. 12 days of Christmas ribbon

 Years ago when our children were very young and had no sense of time they would get up every morning hoping it was Christmas.  They were so excited and would follow up with the next question such as......" Will it be Christmas tomorrow?"   

 So being a very poor pastor's wife we would make a paper chain with the exact number of links till it would be  Christmas. We would hang it by the table and every day we would cut off one link.  That way they could see how many sleeps till Christmas day.

As they grew older we would write an activity on each link to do for that day.  There were activities such as baking cookies, make Christmas cards, watch a Christmas movie, have a snowball fight, or sing a silly Christmas song.

As the children grew older each one wanted to make his or her own Christmas chain and write their own activity. Of course, they never wanted to do the same thing at the same time so that idea was quickly abandoned.

The next improvement was each child would tell me what colors they wanted their chain to be.  I would cut the strips and number them so one child got to be the leader in an activity, another got to be the one to pick out the book we would read together and the third child got a special message ( either a compliment or a  timed challenge with a reward ).  As you can easily see this led to hurt feelings with 3 preschoolers so this was quickly abandoned for our present-day solution.  

  

Now, Mom wraps candy with a  special note inside for each kid and glues it on a ribbon.   It used to be 25 notes times 3.  Each note had to be heartfelt, funny, or what I admired about them. And yes, they would compare them with each other to see who mom loved best.   

Our kids are grown now with kids of their own. I still make them ribbons every year as well as for each grandchild. The tradition is now the 12 days of Christmas. 

I also decorate and make some ribbons for extended family and friends.  Of course the older I get the more friends I've made.  So if you receive an Advent ribbon from me know that you are holding a special piece of my heart.

Lucy's Advent Ribbon 2020

Lucy Mae-Mae, this is your Poppa.  He loves you very much because you remind him of your Daddy man.  He prays for you and your family every day and loves to see pictures of all of you.  Love Diva

 

 Lucy, when your Daddy was little he had two big sisters that liked to boss him around.  We told him that one day he would be bigger than both of his sisters.  I hope you will always look up to him because he loves you so very much.  Diva’s Secret

 

Lucy, how do you like school?  Do you like hearing stories, and making crafts?  I bet you get to sing and play with your friends.  School can be fun.  You are a very smart girl and we are so proud of you. Diva and Poppa

 

 
Lucy, what a cute scarecrow you were this Halloween.  We liked your outfit.  Mommy was very pretty as the good witch and Daddy was funny as the tin man.  I hope you will always enjoy dressing up in costumes.  Diva

 

  

Lucy, did you know that your cousins Oscar, Charlie, and Henry all like to wear costumes too?  They like to play lots of games and would read to you and let you play Legos with them.  Diva

 

 

 

Lucy, Poppa, and I love to see pictures of smiling girls.  We are so happy that you are a good helper and good playmate with Lexi.  Mommy and Daddy need good helpers and it makes them happy.  Love you, sweet girl.  Your Di
va

 

 Lucy, I love your Spiderman costume.  Can you climb up walls and swing on webs?  Daddy always loved Super Man.  We think you are a super sweet and kind sister.   Diva and Poppa

 

 

Lucy, I love your princess costumes.  Daddy says you like to sing really loud and dance. I heard you have dance parties with Daddy.  Does he dance funny?  Your daddy could always make Diva laugh.  Would love to see you dance.  Diva and Poppa

 

 

 Lucy, I love dancing girls.  Auntie Suzy wanted to take dance lessons when she was little.  She reminds me about that even now.  I am glad you can enjoy it with Lyra.  Miss you Diva and Poppa

 

 

Lucy, did you know that Diva loves Polka Dots?  When I was a little girl I watched a Cartoon called Mighty Mouse.  His girlfriend was called Polka Dotty so that’s when I started liking them.  I love my Polka Dotty girls.  I am so glad you like to play with Lexi.  It makes my heart happy!  Happy Diva

 

 

Lucy, this is one of my favorite pictures of you.  You are a beautiful young lady and we love you very much.  We miss you so much.  Diva and Poppa

 

 

 

Lucy, such a sad face.  We love
you and miss you so much.  Please know that even when you don’t feel happy hugs always help.  Your sweet Mommy and Daddy are the best huggers ever.  Diva and Poppa

 

 

 

 

Lucy, did you get to help put up the Christmas tree?  Did you get to put on some of the decorations?  You, Daddy,
like to decorate himself with the Christmas balls and lights.  We miss you.  Be sweet and enjoy your surprises.  Diva and Poppa