Christmas Parties

We've been to several Christmas parties this month--Families with Children from China (the pictures from that are on my other computer, and I don't have access to them right now), JT's Tang Soo Do party (no photos of that), the boys' teen church party, our church party tonight, and the homeschool party last Friday. Whew! I was just thinking tonight that I sure don't get out much. I don't, but my children do. So that means I do get out quite a bit. Just as a chauffeur.

Here is our church party tonight. The kids (3 year olds through 6th grade) did a little program. Luci's down there on the front row. What? You can't see her?
Is this better? She spotted me and gave me a big grin. But first, she stuck her tongue out at her brothers who were down front taking pictures for me.
What Christmas party would be complete without the crazed mother, trying to get everyone in place on time?? John called halfway through the party, telling me he was just about to leave his compound to start his trip home. So nice to talk to him! Another reason to love cell phones. But it didn't calm me down any--the trip from compound to the airport is the most dangerous part of the trip. Which explains why I am up so late doing the blog...so I can keep checking the news online, like a ghoul, to see if there's any news out of his area. So far, so good. Maybe after Wednesday I won't feel compelled to check the news so often. I sure hope so.
Homeschool party--we went to a place called "Forest Jumps." Luci's in there somewhere.
They have these big climbing things to play on.
Kalyn came, too! It was so nice to visit with Kathy.
JT played some games during the party. . .and Bryan acted like a teenager.
On the way to our house in the country is this home. They have their yard covered with shiny things. It's lots of fun to look at, and this is only about half of what they have! The lights are timed with music, and you can turn your car radio to the right station and listen.

The song that was playing when we were there was "Mary, Did You Know?" One of the lines goes like this:

Mary, did you know
that when you kissed your little baby
You kissed the face of God?

I said, "Wow. Those are some powerful words."

Luci said, "Did she have Power Kisses?"

Birthday Party!!!!!

Woo-Hoo, Kalyn had a Princess Birthday Party today! Luci has been excited all week. The invitation is nearly worn out from Luci toting it around the house and re-reading it. Here are some shots from the party. Kathy, I need to get some good shots of Jack. The photos I took came out fuzzy. (Maybe I should wear my glasses all the time, then I'd notice before I get home.)

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An explanation of a few photos: I tried my best to get Luci to take a nap this afternoon. She would have nothing of it, and fell asleep on the way to Kathy and Greg's house. Luci and Kalyn have this ritual of a huge hug at the end of every visit. Tonight was no exception. It is a mixture of a hug and a tackle.

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Since it was a Princess Party, Luci wore her Snow White dress. Kalyn had on a gorgeous Cinderella dress that I'm sure Grandma Millie made. The girls have a blast with each other. Kathy and Greg, thank you for the fun evening. We can't wait to see you on Tuesday morning!

For Nana and Papa:

The 8th and 9th Day of Christmas

The Secret Santas struck again! This morning on the front porch was a big "Santa's Bag" with more gifts, for days 8 through 12. (I actually saw it at 11:45 Saturday night, after Luci woke me up. It had to wait until morning because turning the alarm off and then back on would've woken the kids up.) The bag had a message attached, saying, "Ho Ho Ho! 5 days to go!" Such fun! But I'm concerned, Secret Santa--I hope you weren't driving out in that bad storm that went through last night.

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You all are just too too kind. Really. I am overwhelmed at your generosity and just wanting us to feel loved during John's deployment. Consider your mission successful!

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The 8th Day of Christmas was a Webkinz Snowman. I've seen the Webkinz animals and really wanted one (I mean Luci has seen them and wanted one...) but never have gotten one. So thank you, Santa--this is such a cute one, perfect for this time of year.

I'm blaming JT on us opening the 9th Day of Christmas...he counted up and read on the tags that the 11th Day was to be opened on the 23rd, and the 12 Day on the 24th. His funny logic said that we need to open the 9th Day, too.

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And look at what a lovely statuette Day 9 brought! This is just right for us this year. I have a set of the Nativity scene but haven't put it out in a few years because Luci might break some of the pieces. It's from Japan, from the years when my parents lived there and where I was born, so it's irreplaceable. This statuette is perfect because Luci can handle it without dropping, and it makes a nice addition to our table's centerpiece with our Advent candle wreath. Perfect for focusing our thoughts on our Bible study. Today, besides being showered with gifts, we had lots to do! Worship in the morning, lunch at McDonalds, shopping for a few last minute gifts, then home. This evening we had our church's Christmas party. The kids sang and did a couple of skits. Luci was in the group which tried to sing Jingle Bells. Santa came, and Luci made a visit! Surprise! She knew it was Josh, one of Bryan's best friends. Otherwise, she would not have gotten close.

JT and Luci and the dog.

Cole and Luci, and the dog again. Luci, if you and Cole do eventually get married (as they plan to do!), then this photo will surely make the reception table. Love that finger, sweety.

Christmas Party, Homeschool Style

Today we went to Creekside for their homeschool Christmas party. It was a lot of fun, and a great thing to look forward to after the emotion of the past week. Here are JT, Luci and Bryan in their Christmas t-shirts. Yes, they look sweet in that picture. But here's how we usually see Luci:The younger group had an ornament exchange. Luci did not want to give hers up! She did participate, though, and had a great time. I'm proud of her; she was the youngest in the group and did so well!

The older kids and grown-ups played "Dirty Santa" with $3 gifts. JT and I both ended up stealing gifts from the same boy...I'm sure he wished we hadn't come today. I stole a John Deere coffee mug for JT, and JT stole a dvd for Bryan. Bryan stole a Santa ornament from a young lady (a cutie named Amber) who didn't want the Santa, and she said Bryan was "Awesome!"

That made his whole day.

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After the party, we stuck around for the clean-up. I heard quite a few nice things about Bryan and JT and the work they did.

JT did this all by himself! He loved showing off his muscles.

Here's Luci "helping." She's the one on the right, trying to figure out how to get up there. If she'd made it, she would have been in big trouble!
And here's what they do when they think no one's looking!