Tradition and Teddy Bear Tea

Every year, we enjoy riding through the Collinwood Luminaries. It began in 1967 when members of a local garden club apporached Mrs. Aileen Samford and Mrs. Lucy Salter about their idea. From there, these 2 ladies recruited 15 other East and West Collinwood Circle residents to help and the tradition of the Collinwood Luminares was born. This year, 58 residents of Collinwood prepared over 1,500 sacks with candles to "light the path" on the "journey to the manger". It is so awesome because you ride through with your headlights off and only these little sacks filled with a candle light your way. It gives you just a glimpes of what Mary and Joseph experienced. On the path you see live shepherds, wisemen and angles following the star on their way to see the Christ Child. At the end was a live nativity scene thanks to FUMC of Opelika. At the starting point they handed us a litte pamphlet with John 3:16 and Luke 2:1-16 in it. What a wonderful ministry this subdivision has. Also in the pamphlet is showed everyone who participated and there are 6 original participants. I am intrigued with this whole concept and how it helps us try to relate more to Mary and Joseph. I can't imagine riding in the dark on a camel just hours before giviing birth. Wow!!!
The custom of "luminarias: is a festive tradition that originated in Mexico more than 400 years ago. The glowing lights of the candles symbolize the path that Mary and Joseph followed as they made their journey to the manger in Bethlehem where Jesus was born.

Thanks to Pinterest, I found this great idea!!! Pinterest used a pancake but we had waffles that night so we used waffles instead to make a Santa Waffle!!!

A new event T and I attended this year was the Teddy Bear Tea and we will be back!!!
It was so fun!! Sorry, these pictures are from my cell phone because my camera was messing up. (Thank you Mom and Dad for giving my hubby and me a new camera for Christmas so this doesn't happen again!!)

The hotel that offered the Teddy Bear Tea had these awesome gingerbread houses set up for us to enjoy of Auburn's campus!!

The big Teddy Bear greeted us as we wentered the tea room!!!


When we arrived at our table, there was also a little Teddy Bear and balloons for T to take home...

The big Teddy came to our table too!!!


Not only was a Teddy Bear at the Teddy Bear Tea but also an Elf was there!!

The Elf read 2 great Christmas stories the the children...



T and L enjoying hot chocolate and the delicious finger sandwiches...

T adding more marshmallows to his hot chocolate....



T's school friend was there too!!!


Sweets with L...

Enjoying sweets and hot chocolate!!!

Check out these cute gingerbread cookies....

As we were leaving, there was a Candy Bar!!!

T was able to pick the candy he wanted to take home with him!!