christmas eve party/st. nick:

On Friday we went to the big Christmas Eve bash for Manny's mom's side of the family.  There were 60+ people this year, and it can get up to about 90.  Except for Lucas' first year, the kids usually have a great time with family that they don't often get to see.  They hired a very nice Santa this year, and even Lucas wasn't scared of him.  Naomi was much more timid.

The party went fast this year.  We ate, the kids played with bubbles, Santa came, then the DJ and mariachi singer arrived.  Naomi really did not want to leave and ran around for hours with a cousin.  After a lot of time with Grandpa, Lucas got on the dance floor with Grandma for a little bit.  He really likes playing with his great great aunts, too.

 Lucas looking adorable in his new Buzz Lightyear pjs from Grandma.

 Lucas blowing some impressive bubbles.

Ok, three of us are looking in this one, more than the others.  Naomi was too scared to be in it. 

Mariachi singer. 

Lucas playing with Grandpa and Aunt Dolly, who's holding their baby Jesus doll. 

Naomi and little P. 

Photo with Manny's grandmother's sisters.  Not sure what Lucas was doing. 

Kids got to open presents from Auntie one day early.  It's the Leapster game she's always wanted!  She was very surprised.

Lucas said, "I see [Mc]Queen!"  He got three Cars plus a battery-operated Thomas train.

Naomi doesn't believe in Santa, beyond knowing about the real Saint Nicholas and seeing him in books/movies.  She still ponders it, though.  She said to her grandma, "If there was a Santa, how would he get in here with no chimney?"  She still likes to go through the motions, so she left out cookies and milk for Grandma and Grandpa instead.  :)  I have to stop her from telling other kids who do believe in him, because I understand why parents want their children to believe.  Naomi just came to realize that all the Santas she's seen look different, that she's naughty and still gets presents, and that different stories say very different things about how he operates.  I'm not going to lie to her either, especially when she's compared children's belief in Santa to their belief in God.  Also, I wouldn't know how to answer questions like why we buy and pack presents for the poor if Santa's going to have everyone covered?  Or does he not give as much nice stuff to poor kids?  There would be too much confusion for her.  But she can still have fun with it.  We treat Santa like he's Mickey Mouse, and it works for us.  

christmas eve eve:

We arrived at my in-laws the day before the Christmas Eve party.  My father-in-law made a huge batch of stir-fry with three kinds of meat and rice and noodles.  Manny's aunt and his cousin's daughters came over.  Naomi's always glad to see her cousins.  Lucas was also very friendly, giving plenty of hugs to all the grown-ups.  

Naomi watching TV with her second cousins (I think it's second cousins--they're the daughters of Manny's mom's brother's son, so they only share a great-grandparent).

Lucas downing Grandpa's stir-fry. 

 Thank you, Grandpa!

I love you, Grandma! 

 Lots of hugs for Great-Aunt Quinka.

Opening presents already!  Naomi loved her pizza chef Barbie.  She currently wants to be a chef/restaurant owner when she grows up.  

babysitting:

I've babysat lots of kids, but I think last week was the first time I had kids in the evening (5:30-10:30 pm).  That meant cooking dinner and winding down excited kids, but it went really well.  I went with kid-friendly spaghetti, salad, and edamame for dinner and Nutella on bread for dessert.  The kids were both a year older than our two little ones, which worked out nicely.  Despite their dad's warnings, they didn't give me any trouble.  It's good practice, as I start taking over more duties in the Awana nursery one evening each week.  

Boys can be a little silly, and this is the age where I've noticed girls, including Naomi, starting to be less tolerant of it.  I used to simply tell Naomi to prefer others, but she felt that it wasn't fair that when she was a guest, she had to prefer the host, and when she was the host, she had to prefer the guest.  She said it seemed like no one ever had to prefer her.  When she was younger, I made her give in most of the time, but now I try to encourage her to find a peaceful solution/compromise with her peers.  I do still get involved, but I only give guidelines and hope they can work it out from there.  In the end, she and the older boy worked everything out very well.  He played tea despite not wanting to, and she let him burn food in her (actually my old) cooking video game.  It was good to see them sincerely express their feelings, work something out, and end up hugging and laughing in the end.  :)

Naomi actually getting boys to play tea with her. 

Lucas and J playing table soccer. 

 The kids got to have the dinner table to themselves.

Lucas and J sharing blueberries.

naomi's art:

These are Naomi's latest creations, all with zero help.  This is a fun time for me, and it helps her exercise resourcefulness, creativity, and independence.  

Naomi drew this cat on a rug for me.  She wrapped the magnetic sketchboard in a towel and put a bow on it.  She is so sweet and makes the sweetest cards for us, too.

I finally gave her access to scissors this year, so she's having a ball.  Here is her farm scene.  I like the barn doors and silo, too. 

A friend gave Naomi foam stickers, and she made this tambourine-like instrument (she filled it with uncooked pasta and glued it herself).  She's pretty good at fitting things neatly in spaces, like her father.

Not content with coloring this drawing of Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus, she drew in the manger and the animals (which look slightly creepy, but that's okay).

She used this box for a puppet theater.  She tied yarn to toys for the characters.  In this act, the policeman gets his foot stuck in a hole.

chris christmas:

Chris stopped by this weekend.  You know what that means--it's time for me and Manny to become chopped liver again.  Lucas did not want to be held by me at all, just Chris.  Everybody loves Chris and was vying for his attention.  We went to lunch then headed to Christmas in the Park on Saturday, which we've gone to together every year since Naomi was two.  A lot of events like this and Bethlehem are in danger of closing due to budget cuts and lack of donations.  We walked through the exhibits very briskly as it was starting to rain again.  Naomi had a little tantrum toward the end.  She was probably groggy because she never sleeps well when it rains, and it's been raining a lot.  But at her age, tiredness is a reason but not an excuse.  So we left without getting her her annual treat (usually a churro).  After coming home, though, she was very good.  Chris and Manny went to see a movie.  Naomi felt bored, but she still helped me around the house, played and drew quietly while Lucas napped, and fixed herself a sandwich and an apple for snack.  I made Japanese curry for dinner, and then Naomi got to play games with Chris.

Naomi with the candy canes.

Watching the train come by. 

The train stops for loading.  Lucas enjoyed this. 

Family photo.  It started raining, and Naomi didn't want to be in it. 

Dinnertime.

our own nativity play:

We went to J's last Friday to get our kids together and do a re-enactment of the Nativity play.  Naomi rehearsed her lines, which I'd only read to her twice the day before, and picked out her attire carefully.  She wanted to help create a stage, complete with a star on the top, but I told her we weren't going to do a formal production this time.  One of the mom's daughters was going to be in her preschool play the next day, so she provided the script.  We pitched in with props and costumes.  Another mom hosted and helped with the costumes and setup as well.  It went really well overall, I thought.  The hostess got better photos, so I'll look forward to those.

Naomi was really excited at the start, but ended up having a short meltdown because she didn't realize we'd already started the play without first having a dress rehearsal.  I hadn't managed her expectations, so she was also confused why the audience members (the moms) were also directing the play.  I told her the show must go on, addressed her poor attitude, explained it better, and we made it through just fine.  Lucas even got to be a wise man delivering a gift.  We closed out with the kids singing carols, a very special moment.

J as King Herod conversing with the wise men. 

The angel telling Mary she would give birth to Jesus.

J now playing Joseph, and helping a very pregnant Mary on the donkey, played by our stick horse.

All coming to see the baby Jesus.  The wise men, including Lucas, placed their gifts before the baby.

Our different circles of friends have different views and dynamics, and I want to teach our children to be adaptable and gracious, while at the same time maintaining that desire for excellence, order, and peace between friends.  I know it can be confusing for our kids, so we try to focus on the foundation first.  Like Manny said, learning appropriateness will come with maturity, but first we have to help them learn right and wrong.  It always goes back to the reasons and goals for my being at home with them.  I myself just have to be careful not to impose and have a gentle response, and to teach our kids that as well.  Whatever our convictions, what matters most is that it's all done in love and to God's glory.

women's christmas dinner:

Naomi had her Awana Christmas celebration this week while I took Lucas to the Women's Bible Study Christmas dinner.  I'm the youngest person in the group, but I tend to feel very comfortable around women older than me.  When they're not around, I actually feel like something's missing.  Many of the women I've met have such amazing skills--I can only hope to learn something.  They're really warm as well.  

We had a delicious ham (I thought of LOST but wasn't sure anyone would appreciate the mention), broccoli casserole, cranberry relish, and crudites.  I brought a cherry pie, just because I hadn't had one in a while.  I love variety, so it's hard to name favorites.  I have fond memories of wild blueberry pies in Texas, one of the few nice memories I have of our year there.  When it comes to flavor, I like most anything.  

We then gathered to wrap blankets for homeless women and children.  I constantly think about them whenever it rains or is cold, and it's great they had this ministry for them.  I didn't get to stay long as I had to go pick up Naomi.  Lucas ate really well, didn't touch anything he wasn't supposed to (a lot of beautiful decorations), and gave all the women big smiles and waves when we left.  He does pretty well with anyone bigger than him, but I'm working on getting him not to bully those smaller than him...

 Naomi being giddy in her reindeer antlers.

Dinner at D's.

the secret powers of time:

ETA: The entire talk by the Stanford psychology professor. They conducted an experiment on instant gratification, following these kids for 14 years. We even tried this on Naomi, who loves marshmallows, and with no reward, and she didn't eat it. Of course, this is already part of our biblical beliefs, that giving into temptation and having instant gratification hurts an individual and was the original sin. It's just interesting to see the outcome of the study. He also talks about how Protestants tend to be future-oriented and live to glorify God (I don't remember how he put it, but that's the gist of it).



This is very good food for thought. Beyond modern vs. postmodern thinking, which isn't apparent in many circles, it perhaps really comes down to how people view time in their "pace of life."



The entire video/talk is here.

bethlehem:

On Monday night, I took the kids to watch a re-enactment of the Christmas story (the real one, not the movie about the kid with glasses that so reminds me of my childhood).  I got there on time and already had to park two blocks away.  So many people--it was insane.  We were like a herd of cattle being directed without being able to see ahead of us.  It was all quite spectacular, although we couldn't see over people's heads half the time, so I stayed through three iterations of the half-hour show so Naomi could see it all, even if out of order.  Early on, the Roman soldiers came and yelled at us, being in character, and that frightened Lucas so much he looked down for the rest of the evening.  I was there mostly for Naomi, though, and she did enjoy it and learned a lot.  They had a live camel and donkey.   The grounds were transformed into the town of Bethlehem, with  food, games, livestock, trades, entertainment, and housing on display.  They used a spotlight to represent the star of Bethlehem.  It was a pretty amazing production, and free to the public.  Naomi's favorite carol is Silent Night, and it was special that they closed with everyone singing it.

The wise man on a real camel.

Mary (on a real donkey) and Joseph entering the town.  Naomi and I had to climb on a fountain to see this. 

In the manger. 

The wise men and shepherds come to see the newborn King.

holiday class:

The city hosts a K-5 recreational class each year with a Christmas theme.  This was our first year, and Naomi was the youngest kid there.  She didn't know anyone in this large group of kids (she doesn't attend school in this district), but being her usual brave self, she went in and didn't look back.  She did make a friend, a first-grade girl.  It said on the flyer they'd provide a snack, so of course I fed Naomi pizza for dinner and we showed up and there was...pizza for dinner.  At this point Naomi already knows that's the story of my life.  They played sports games, did a sticker craft, and got some candy.  Naomi said they tried to show a movie (cartoon Grinch), but the player wouldn't work.  She said she didn't mind; they got to play more.  Lucas was fussy and fell asleep when I took him home after dropping Naomi off (he'd missed his nap due to the funeral).  So I got some alone time to address cards and wrap gifts before Manny came home.  :)

funeral for r:

Y came over last Friday to watch Naomi so I could attend the funeral for a friend from our former church.  I took Lucas with me, and he made it through most of the service.  It was remarkable to see her in the slideshow photos, once so healthy.  I'd only known her in later years, when she was already suffering and deteriorating.  Now it is over and she lives in a glorified body in the presence of God.

Y was in between final exams, and we really appreciated her help.  Naomi drew for her, put on a show, showed her photo albums, and shared her mango with her.  I didn't think it would be beneficial to take Naomi to the funeral, but I did talk to her about it.  Manny was at a conference.

isp parent-teacher conference #4:

Naomi made another stellar presentation of her schoolwork at our ISP meeting this week.  The principal drills Naomi each time, testing her on all her work, and Naomi answers everything correctly.  She quizzed Naomi on spelling, reading, math, even the difference between a foothill and a mountain.  The principal said that Naomi is a star.  I'm sure they all are, but Naomi does amaze me, especially because she questions so much of what I teach.  Lucas seems more receptive to me teaching him, but he doesn't retain a whole lot yet.  Naomi desires to truly understand something, and so she "gets it."  I don't like being questioned the way she does it, and she doesn't like being wrong, but we're working on that, and progressing well in the end.  Naomi's about to begin second-grade reading, but I'm trying to slow her down a little and make sure we're not getting ahead of ourselves.  I try to do what the principal does and just challenge her where she's at without telling her she's ahead or behind.

I neglected to take a photo of her work samples (mostly so I could spend more time with Manny, because he's had long work hours recently), but here are some of the activities we did in November.

Naomi and I made this turkey, and she wrote what she's thankful to God for.  She spelled everything herself except school.  She ordered the feathers in a pattern.  She also drew details on the eyes, wattle (thing hanging from the neck), and legs.  She has strong attention to detail.

Naomi created this completely by herself with paint, glue, glitter, and a leaf skeleton.  We discussed how evergreens don't lose their leaves in the winter like broadleaf/deciduous trees.

Air machine race--demonstrating that air can do work even though we cannot see it.

With the leftover leaves, Naomi made this Native American headdress.  

membership class/j's birthday party:

On Sunday, Manny, the kids, and I went to a church membership class.  As they prefaced, there's nothing mandating membership in the bible, and like a pastor friend of ours said, it's more of a partnership than membership.  The kids enjoyed the Chinese chicken salad lunch while Manny and I learned more about the church and the other attendees.  One of them was an elderly Chinese woman who's lived a life more tragic than one could imagine.  My parents' and grandparents' generation of Chinese suffered greatly, and suffering is accepted and expected.  I don't think that's a good thing, just how it is.  Kind of confusing for me being raised that way here.  Yet God has purpose in all things and promises joy in all things, and her powerful testimony speaks to His glory.

After the class, we went to J's birthday party.  Naomi has various circles of friends, and this one includes families who do the big venue parties (we do all kinds ourselves).  I'd never been to this playzone when it was this crowded, and it was close to complete chaos.  It is quite a task trying to spot your children in the enormous, unlit, convoluted play structure, but Manny and I would split up and one of us would eventually find her.  Lucas played in the little kids area and was pretty content.  After an hour, we went to the party room for pizza and cake.  The kids had a great time, although Naomi was understandably sad to leave, especially since her closest friend of the bunch got there late and still wanted to play together.  She was also concerned that she'd left her friend by herself, because her friend was pretty scared at first.  We usually have to leave events because Lucas has to nap; fortunately Naomi hasn't developed a resentment toward him for it.  I try to help her understand, that's it's not just a nap for him but what's best for everyone in the long run, and she seems to receive it well.  

Naomi goes right on in.

Lucas enjoyed the ball pit until a bigger kid jumped on him.

The kids playing games and getting ready to celebrate in the Giraffe room.

The family generously ordered extra pizzas for the adults and siblings.

Happy 5th birthday!