This week is the week. Anji has been walking around singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and saying "HO! HO! HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!" so we are definitely getting into the spirit of it all.
The kids seem to understand it more this year. Last year I think they were just overwhelmed. We really are trying to keep them grounded and focused on Jesus rather than the "getting, getting, getting" of presents.
One thing Donna and I have noticed is the amount of 'stuff' that the kids get during their school Holiday celebrations is unreal. The candy and food alone are insane. I understand wanting to celebrate and have fun but bubble gum for a 3 year old?!! And we're talking bags and bags of candy for Carol and Jhon-Fredy.
One thing we started last year (and are carrying it over to this year) is getting only 3 gifts a piece for each child. The thought behind that is that the 3 Wise men brought 3 gifts for Jesus). Seems to work pretty well with them appreciating the gifts that they receive (although the Grandparents - on both sides - tend to derail the effort!).
That brings us to this year's Christmas video. First off, Jhon-Fredy and Carol were WELL aware they were being taped and you'll see what I mean. Also...we are already rethinking the "put-the-Christmas-tree-up-and-get-the-Christmas-card-photo-all-in-one-day" approach for next year. It was a VERY long day with numerous meltdowns and "attitude adjustments". The biggest culprit? Anji.
In the last post we put the school pictures up and it is beyond me how they got Anji to sit so still for that picture. She was not going to have any of it the day we tried to do this. We were pretty lucky to get ONE picture that we would be able to use for the card.
One other side note - Carol HAS lost her right front tooth. However Papi was able to do a little Photoshop trickery and make it look like she hadn't. You should have seen her face when I showed it to her. She just couldn't wrap her head around it.
Well, please everyone, have a very Merry Christmas. We will be celebrating the birth of our Savior and thanking Him for the blessings He gives us everyday through our children.
Scott
The kids seem to understand it more this year. Last year I think they were just overwhelmed. We really are trying to keep them grounded and focused on Jesus rather than the "getting, getting, getting" of presents.
One thing Donna and I have noticed is the amount of 'stuff' that the kids get during their school Holiday celebrations is unreal. The candy and food alone are insane. I understand wanting to celebrate and have fun but bubble gum for a 3 year old?!! And we're talking bags and bags of candy for Carol and Jhon-Fredy.
One thing we started last year (and are carrying it over to this year) is getting only 3 gifts a piece for each child. The thought behind that is that the 3 Wise men brought 3 gifts for Jesus). Seems to work pretty well with them appreciating the gifts that they receive (although the Grandparents - on both sides - tend to derail the effort!).
That brings us to this year's Christmas video. First off, Jhon-Fredy and Carol were WELL aware they were being taped and you'll see what I mean. Also...we are already rethinking the "put-the-Christmas-tree-up-and-get-the-Christmas-card-photo-all-in-one-day" approach for next year. It was a VERY long day with numerous meltdowns and "attitude adjustments". The biggest culprit? Anji.
In the last post we put the school pictures up and it is beyond me how they got Anji to sit so still for that picture. She was not going to have any of it the day we tried to do this. We were pretty lucky to get ONE picture that we would be able to use for the card.
One other side note - Carol HAS lost her right front tooth. However Papi was able to do a little Photoshop trickery and make it look like she hadn't. You should have seen her face when I showed it to her. She just couldn't wrap her head around it.
Well, please everyone, have a very Merry Christmas. We will be celebrating the birth of our Savior and thanking Him for the blessings He gives us everyday through our children.
Scott
