Kidologist.com: Karl Bastian's Personal Site and Blog
Archive for Christmas
December 27, 2007 at 12:17 pm · Filed under Christmas, Family, Luke
Christmas is a time of traditions and memories. Some are too special to allow to fade…
Every Christmas Eve I would climb on my dads lap along with my siblings and our dad would read us the The Night Before Christmas. It was a wonderful tradition that we continued even until grown adults were crowding onto his lap. When I finally became a father myself one of the things I was eager to do was start my own family traditions.
Last Christmas my dad surprised me by giving me the very book he read the story from during my childhood!
We both took turns reading to my son, but not until after my dad read us a poem he wrote as he passed this tradition down to his oldest son:
‘Twas Our Night Before Christmas
Every night before Christmas
In th’ young Bastian hom
Eager children were restless:
“Dad Santa” would roam.
It was mostly our secret
To play Santa’s game;
But we knew it was Jesus
Who down to earth came.
For the kids, it’s a mixture
Of shepherds and elves,
Of both chimney and manger,
And toys for their shelves.
So now I, without nightcap,
Would sit in my chair
‘Till our four grown children
Would smother me there.
Gath’ring kids had a purpose,
For Dad would then read
“‘Twas The Night Before Christmas”,
Warm mem’ry indeed!
This old book I now give you,
First son of my four,
Just to read to your children
Yet Christmases more.
Oh, I wonder, in Heaven,
When Jesus sits down,
If we’ll all pile on top of Him
And smother the Throne.
Written for my son Karl
by Dad Bastian
December 2006
Now I get to carry on this tradition in my home, with the very same book! So I was very eager this Christmas Eve to have my first fatherly reading of the story to my little boy.
Luke was delighted to sit on my lap as I proudly read to him the story my own father had read to me on so many Christmas Eves past when I was the one on the lap listening. But the bliss was not to last…
The story proved to be too long for Luke who soon considered Dad’s lap more a prison than a privilege. And eventually I had to surrender to the boy and let him down. (You can’t force a child into a loving tender momment!)
I dutifully finished the poem as Luke played with his new garbage truck.
Thanks, Dad, for being such a thoughtful Dad when I was a boy, and for still honoring me with your love and unshakable faith in me. I hope I can be half the dad you are to me still!
My Christmas Family 2007!
More pictures soon!
December 25, 2007 at 11:48 pm · Filed under 12 Days of Xmas TBT, Christmas
Well, the depression is setting in… Christmas is nearly over. But at least ONE VISITOR to my blog will still be getting another Christmas Present! THAT’S RIGHT! I still have to give away the GRAND PRIZE for the 12 Days of Christmas ToyBox Tales!
In fact, your 12th Christmas ToyBox Tale is one I JUST MADE TEN MINUTES AGO and is converting to flash as I type this! In this final Christmas ToyBox Tale the WINNER WILL BE REVEALED! So to win, you have to watch the video! There were 41 entries into the contest, and have no fear, the winner was chosen by Random, as you will see “LIVE” in the video. (Well, live during filming anyway!)
So… WHO WON?? Watch and Find Out!
CONGRATS TO THE WINNER! And what is the prize? It is the set used in Swine Control, but brand new in the box and includes three action figures! WOW, what a prize!
I hope everyone who watched had a Wonderful and Merry Christmas this year! There are some new things planned for ToyBoxTales.com in 2008… so stay tuned!
December 24, 2007 at 9:42 am · Filed under 12 Days of Xmas TBT, Christmas, Holidays
WHAT IS THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TOYBOX TALES? Read the Introduction!
Well, we are coming to the end of our 12 Days of Christmas! TOMORROW THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED RIGHT HERE ON THE SITE… someone will have a Very Merry Christmas with a special gift from me and toyboxtales.com! WHO WILL IT BE? TODAY is your LAST CHANCE to post a comment or post to be entered! So, what are you waiting for??
HERE IS YOUR ELEVENTH CHRISTMAS TALE: A ToyBox Tale Christmas
This was a fun tale to make. My entire K.C. Krew helped write it and did the acting, er, voicing of the characters. The angel, which caused the most controversy (not too bad) was done by the senior pastor’s son, so that helped. But overall the kids did a great job! And since this was made in my pre-Mac days, I need to give credit to Jim Crouter, the youth pastor at my previous church who did all the editing, music and title screens for me. It turned out fantastic! ENJOY!
From The ToyBox Tales Christmas DVD.
TOMORROW: The 12 Days of Christmas Toybox Tales… WINNER!
LAST CHANCE TO BLOG or COMMENT and WIN!
BLOG ABOUT THE 12 DAYS OF TOYBOXATALES or COMMENT on posts and you could win a very VERY cool toybox prize! WIN an orginal ToyBoxTales set used in a Toybox Tale! I’ll post the set and the tale it was used in half way through the contest. Every comment and post you make gives you another entry in the contest! So comment and post away! Just point your links to: www.kidologist.com/12-Days-of-ToyBoxTales so I’ll know you linked!
December 23, 2007 at 6:22 am · Filed under 12 Days of Xmas TBT, Christmas, Holidays
WHAT IS THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TOYBOX TALES? Read the Introduction!
HERE IS YOUR TENTH CHRISTMAS TALE:
A Galactic Christmas Carol – Episode Three
From A Galactic Christmas Carol Series on Toyboxtales.com
TOMORROW: A Toybox Tale Christmas
REMEMBER: BLOG or COMMENT and WIN!
BLOG ABOUT THE 12 DAYS OF TOYBOXATALES or COMMENT on posts and you could win a very VERY cool toybox prize! WIN an orginal ToyBoxTales set used in a Toybox Tale! I’ll post the set and the tale it was used in half way through the contest. Every comment and post you make gives you another entry in the contest! So comment and post away! Just point your links to: www.kidologist.com/12-Days-of-ToyBoxTales so I’ll know you linked!
December 22, 2007 at 11:32 am · Filed under 12 Days of Xmas TBT, Christmas, Holidays
WHAT IS THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TOYBOX TALES? Read the Introduction!
HERE IS YOUR NINTH CHRISTMAS TALE:
A Galactic Christmas Carol – Episode Two
From A Galactic Christmas Tale Series on Toyboxtales.com
TOMORROW: Galactic Christmas Carol – Part 3
REMEMBER: BLOG or COMMENT and WIN!
BLOG ABOUT THE 12 DAYS OF TOYBOXATALES or COMMENT on posts and you could win a very VERY cool toybox prize! WIN an orginal ToyBoxTales set used in a Toybox Tale! I’ll post the set and the tale it was used in half way through the contest. Every comment and post you make gives you another entry in the contest! So comment and post away! Just point your links to: www.kidologist.com/12-Days-of-ToyBoxTales so I’ll know you linked!
Seems the field of competition is pretty small! But all it takes is ONE comment or post to have a chance at winning a Muppets Pigs in Space set – BRAND NEW IN THE BOX – with three action figures, yes, Miss Piggy in her space outsite and her two co-pilots!! SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Register to win by commenting!
December 21, 2007 at 10:43 am · Filed under 12 Days of Xmas TBT, Christmas
WHAT IS THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TOYBOX TALES? Read the Introduction!
HERE IS YOUR EIGHTH CHRISTMAS TALE:
A Galactic Christmas Carol – Episode One
From A Galactic Christmas Tale Series on Toyboxtales.com
TOMORROW: Galactic Christmas Carol – Part 2
REMEMBER: BLOG or COMMENT and WIN!
BLOG ABOUT THE 12 DAYS OF TOYBOXATALES or COMMENT on posts and you could win a very VERY cool toybox prize! WIN an orginal ToyBoxTales set used in a Toybox Tale! I’ll post the set and the tale it was used in half way through the contest. Every comment and post you make gives you another entry in the contest! So comment and post away! Just point your links to: www.kidologist.com/12-Days-of-ToyBoxTales so I’ll know you linked!
So far Henry Zonio and Tom Bump are in the lead for the most chances to win, but each post is one entry, so even one post could bring you home a TBT set worth over $50. (Did I mention it includes action figures?!)
December 21, 2007 at 12:21 am · Filed under Christmas, Humor, KarlTube, Mac
Thot you’d enjoy this, that is, if you love Macs!
December 19, 2007 at 11:07 pm · Filed under 12 Days of Xmas TBT, Christmas, Holidays
HERE IS YOUR SEVENTH CHRISTMAS TALE:
Rudy, the Red Nosed Reindeer!
From www.toyboxtales.com on Toyboxtales.com
TOMORROW:
Galactic Christmas Carol – Part 1
REMEMBER: BLOG or COMMENT and WIN!
BLOG ABOUT THE 12 DAYS OF TOYBOXATALES or COMMENT on posts and you could win a very VERY cool toybox prize! WIN an orginal ToyBoxTales set used in a Toybox Tale! I’ll post the set and the tale it was used in half way through the contest. Every comment and post you make gives you another entry in the contest! So comment and post away! Just point your links to: www.kidologist.com/12-Days-of-ToyBoxTales so I’ll know you linked!
December 19, 2007 at 8:51 am · Filed under 12 Days of Xmas TBT, Christmas, Holidays
HERE IS YOUR SIXTH CHRISTMAS TALE:
Birthday Party for Who?
From www.toyboxtales.com on Toyboxtales.com
TOMORROW:
Red Nosed Rudy
REMEMBER: BLOG or COMMENT and WIN!
BLOG ABOUT THE 12 DAYS OF TOYBOXATALES or COMMENT on posts and you could win a very VERY cool toybox prize! WIN an orginal ToyBoxTales set used in a Toybox Tale! I’ll post the set and the tale it was used in half way through the contest. Every comment and post you make gives you another entry in the contest! So comment and post away! Just point your links to: www.kidologist.com/12-Days-of-ToyBoxTales so I’ll know you linked!
December 18, 2007 at 11:20 pm · Filed under Christmas, Family, KarlTube, Luke
I either get teased for blogging too much about Luke, or bugged for not blogging pictures of him enough… so by popular demand, here are some pictures of Luke who is LOVIN’ the Christmas season!
Setting up the Christmas Tree was a blast! He must have walked around it over a hundred times while dad was doing all the lights and ornaments!
[flv]http://www.kidologist.com/flash/luke/luke-xmas-train-dec07.flv[/flv]
But then the train was the best part, it goes around and around and around. The best part is it is “voice activated” – I say “GO TRAIN GO” and it goes, and “STOP TRAIN STOP” and it magically stops! And now Luke can say “Go” and “Stop” to control the train too. (and no, I’m not giving away my secret to how it is voice controlled!)
Next, Luke discovered that there are presents under the tree, and he brought this one to me to open! He is doing pretty good waiting, though I did see him ripping a corner of one of Mom’s presents!
Luke has also discovered CHRISTMAS COOKIES! Yum! Yum!
[flv]http://www.kidologist.com/flash/luke/luke-at-wendys-dec07.flv[/flv]
He also enjoyed his evening out with Dad (giving Mom a Lukeless evening) where he discovered how yummy a Wendy’s Frosty is!
He has also discovered that he has to wear a LOT more clothes this time of year…
But it’s worth it if he gets to go play outside with Daddy!
[flv]http://www.kidologist.com/flash/luke/luke-at-mall-dec07.flv[/flv]
One time they went to the mall where Dad let him run around a little since he is so good at obeying whenever his Daddy says to come back. (as seen in this video!)
But Luke’s very favorite thing is just being on Daddy’s shoulders dancing to his favorite Christmas album, Alvin and the Chipmonks Christmas Album!
Christmas is so full of so many wonderful things for the hands, eyes and ears… that I feel January will be soooo boring by comparison!
Nothing brings back the Wonder of Christmas like a young child…. Luke makes our Christmas so cheerful and fun. I want every day this month to be slow and full so I can soak in his enjoyment along the way.
I hope you are having a very merry Christmas season too!
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