I come from a cultural upbringing where Christmas wasn’t a big deal. No tree, no fat bearded men in raunchy red, or present exchanging.
Besides the Christmas Party that’s happening on Instagram next week, the most yuletide spirit I can muster on FYBF is this…
(So hard not to break out into a duck face. Your fault, Tina Gray…)
But before you all gasp in disbelief or sigh with sympathy for what would seem like a deprived childhood, I don’t feel I missed out at all.
While Christmas was absent, we made up for it on New Year’s Eve. It’s our family tradition to gather around and reflect on the past year, openly talk about the highlights (and lowlights) with each other and reach a sense of unity.
And together, we had the confidence and faith to face the new year ahead.
After these get-togethers, I always felt a little closer to my family. I could appreciate what the year had brought them and what they were striving for, to make the next one better.
How about I bring that tradition over to the FYBF community?
On Friday 21st of December, I’ll be hosting a special FYBF – 2012 Highlights. It’s not obligatory but I thought we could all link up our own post commemorating the year that was and summarize each month with the important events that occurred.
Kinda like this…
January:
After the sudden defunct of my previous blog, With Some Grace was launched on the twinlets’ 2nd birthday. Oh happy day!
Being on a bloggy hiatus for the month prior, it was nice to read all the lovely comments of welcome on that very first post. Nothing like warm fuzzies from knowing people had actually missed me. Naw…
February:
The twinlets started daycare! That very first day, I sat in the car and cried a fountain for approximately 15 minutes. Then, wiping my tears, I drove to the mall to cheer myself up with some retail therapy. Easy cure for a Mama’s Seperation Anxiety.
March:
Along with thousands of others, I joined Fat Mum Slim’s Photo A Day Challenge. Thus began the relentless Instagram addiction!
And so forth…
Feel free to add any photos or back links.
The whole idea is to get to know each other a little more intimately. To try and understand what our fellow bloggers experienced in 2012.
Add the formula of “The Power of 4” and think about the stronger connections you’ll be making.
So, are ya in ???
1. Follow With Some Grace.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the linky. Please only link up one post.
4. Grab the funky FYBF button and post it on your sidebar. Help spread the blogfloggin love.
5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love.
6. Share some more comment love. It’s proven to make your wrinkles disappear…overnight. #truth
Mel @ Adventures of a Subversive Reader says
That sounds like a lot of fun 🙂 I’m in!
Mel @ Adventures of a Subversive Reader recently posted..Grateful for Aunts
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB says
I’m in! great idea xx
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB recently posted..Don’t worry. Be happy.
Danya Banya says
Sounds good!
Danya Banya recently posted..Swim like a tadpole
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says
I’m in! But I have to warn you … I have a lot to share. It’s been a huge year …
Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos says
I’m in Grace!
I’ll have to start remembering back…..
My goodness where has this year gone?
xx
Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos recently posted..The November 30/30 Challenge – Day 23. What’ SUP?
Kim Frost says
I’m in! Grace you’re TOO cute. I wanna see the duckface. x
Kim Frost recently posted..A woman of no virtue
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset says
What a great idea Grace! I usually write a re-cap at the end of each year (well, have done so since 2007!) so I’m definitely IN! And I LOVE your NYE tradition! I wonder how my family would go with something like that. We’re not exactly a bunch of “sharers” if you know what I mean! I’d love to be tho.
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..Catching Up With Team Friday
Desire Empire says
Thanks for hosting Grace
Desire Empire recently posted..Baked Porridge with Walnuts and Prunes and a like from Tony Bennett
Lara @ This Charming Mum says
I think that’s a lovely idea Grace! I’m going to get working on something. I know in a few cultures New Year’s Eve is more about celebrating the year that’s been rather than making all those big ‘resolutions’ which never get fulfilled. Can’t wait to see what everyone reveals 🙂
Lara @ This Charming Mum recently posted..A snap, a set and a song – Rain
Rhianna says
Ooooohh sounds like fun. Thanks for giving us plenty of time to work on it. Looking forward to next week’s party as well, so much so I thought it was today!
Oh yeah and the whole New Years being bigger than Christmas is very Scottish you multi national hybrid 😉
Rhianna recently posted..What makes a blogging superstar?
Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye says
Sounds like a great idea. make sure you remind me a week before – I’m forgetful!
Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye recently posted..Flash Blog Friday Linky Party
Francesca says
Sounds great. Remind me later though, I’m a scatterbrain!
Francesca recently posted..Francesca Takes the Train
Kim-Marie says
Fabulous idea – I’m in! x
Kim-Marie recently posted..Kimba Likes Borne Naked Bagvember Day 22
Bachelormum says
You make a cute Santa grace. Raunchy red suits u 🙂
passive drivers says
We’ve arrived at the end of the line and I have what I need!
Cathy says
I did a big highlights post one year, simply because I hadn’t done enough blogging through the year! It was a long post with lots of photos but great to look back on. Great idea! If I can organise myself, I will give it a go 🙂
Cathy recently posted..Daniel is Finally 6!
Shari says
In like Flynn! Super-great idea 🙂
x
Shari recently posted..Setting SMART resolutions
Cassandra says
It’s a fab idea! Count me in 🙂
Cassandra recently posted..It’s Only Rock n Roll… but I Like It…
Tina ~ Tina Gray {dot} Me says
My job here is done 😉 And I’m in. But make sure you send out a reminder! x
Tina ~ Tina Gray {dot} Me recently posted..The Shed
Min of MinsMash says
Ahhh Grace – your face always makes me smile 🙂 Love your santa hat photos!! Wonderful idea to recap 2012 – the year that was! A lot of momentus things happened here at MinMash during 2012. I’m in! 😉 xo
Min of MinsMash recently posted..365 Grateful – Day 60
Seana Smith says
Ahhh… Christmas is good when the kids are involved, and we had long family traditions… I used to get so stressed and not enjoy so much but getting better at that year by year. A post reviewing the year?? Hmmm… will have to get my brain in gear for that! Good idea.
Seana Smith recently posted..How To Find A Great Au Pair in Australia – Advertising
Ai Sakura says
Oh yes, do send us a reminder like what Tina said haha. I’ll be in too 🙂
Ai Sakura recently posted..Be Festive, Be Creative | Canon Pixma Creative Workshop
Enid Bite'Em says
You’ve given me the motivation, now to do the writing 🙂
Annie says
I won’t even be a year old in blogging land by December! Will have to do some serious remembering, as 2012 has gone by in a flash.
Annie recently posted..Black (freaky) Friday campers
Veronica @ Mixed Gems says
Great community building idea, G! Maybe that can be my (only, the rate I’m going!) December post! xx
Veronica @ Mixed Gems recently posted..Family: Life and Legacy
Rita says
Love this idea Grace… I can’t believe the end of the year is around the corner…
Rita recently posted..Italian stuffed peppers
carmen says
Think I can manage that one… it’s the day before a Miss 10’s 11th birthday though! 😉
I do love your pics today! 😉 xxx
carmen recently posted..Lessons for boys…
Sim says
I’m in! I didn’t start blogging until April this year so the first few months may test my memory!
Sim recently posted..It’s time to rediscover my crafty mojo
Me N my Monkeys says
I’m in! Sounds like a fantastic idea. 🙂
Me N my Monkeys recently posted..Hows your Spring Cleaning coming along? (Giveaway)
Twitchy says
That is a fantastic idea. I look forward to it! 🙂
Emily says
Love it! Count me in. x
Emily recently posted..A googol is…
Robyn (@slightly_deep) says
I’ll see how I go! I’ve never made much of New Year’s, but I’d like to! 🙂
Robyn (@slightly_deep) recently posted..Small is okay
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
I did a similar post like that last year and it was actually a lot of fun to look back over the year and read over how I had faced it – it really cemented in my mind that the blog was important, if for not other reason, than being a journal of my life. I’m definitely in!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..The Week That Was…
EssentiallyJess says
Sounds like a fun idea Grace!
EssentiallyJess recently posted..Blogging Mums Need Respect Too
Kelly HTandT says
Wooo hoooooo, I’m luck number 100!! Go meee, go meee, go meee *dances*
LOVE the FYBF highlights idea my darling, fabulous! Looking forward to it xx
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Better Busy than Bored. Or not?
Denyse Whelan Education Specialist says
LOVE this idea of course..but like Tina…remind me wontcha…. love D xx
Denyse Whelan Education Specialist recently posted..Winners of November’s Giveaways.
Dani ~ fitness food and style says
What a fabulous idea Grace!!! Good on you! I’ll have to start mid year when I started blogging and try and remember what happened Jan – May 😉 so count me in!!!
So wonderful to see all your IG pics from Bali, looks like you guys had a great time.
Thanks for being such a wonderful FYOB hostess!!!! Luv ya! Mwah! Dani Xx
Rhonda - Silly Mummy says
I will try to remember not to forget. :-p
Rhonda – Silly Mummy recently posted..The School Christmas Concert
Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky says
Sounds like a lovely way to see out the year in blogging, great idea 🙂
Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky recently posted..Christmas Cooking with Kids: Christmas Crunchies
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right says
Sounds like a great idea Grace – lucky I never delete all my emails because trawling through them is about the only way I am going to remember what happened from month to month.
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right recently posted..Testing the test: NAPLAN makes for stressed kids and a narrow curriculum
Glamamuma says
I recently was inspired by a post from the famous Mrs Woog from Woogsworld to stress less and declutter my life so this is my post oh an Mrs Woog also commented on my blog post so I was very chuffed. Read the post and comments to see what she said!!
Glamamuma recently posted..Less is more