Naomi had her class party for the ISP before the winter break. No field trip this year, but they got to make these beautiful paper snowflakes and grow pipe cleaner snowflake crystals. The day after we had some indoor fun at a friend's house. The hostess ordered pizza, and we made shrink-it ornaments. So much fun! The boys ate their weight in cantaloupe and blackberries. The day before our trip to Grandma's, we had a family brunch at Denny's. I built my own Hobbit Slam from their Hobbit menu in anticipation of seeing the film.
Naomi's is the one she's standing under with all the different colors.
It was a somber Friday in light of the shooting (more about that in a separate post), and it seemed appropriate to really consider how much our children need us to nurture them. Friday night we went to the Children and Youth Ministry Christmas gathering. It was so packed and sometimes chaotic, and Manny and I were pretty tired from the week, but we were glad to be there. We stayed late, but we wanted the kids to have a chance to play with friends. Lucas was pillow-fighting with an older boy who helps out in his Sunday School, and it's been sweet to see him come out of his shell more and more lately. He said, "I had a super fun day!" I said, "What was super fun?" He replied, "Following Naomi!" Naomi said she so wished she could relive the evening. We did pray about the shooting as a group, but our kids don't really know what happened, so I think it passed over their minds. I don't think they're ready for it yet. The ornament exchange was crazy loud. Even though Lucas was disappointed that the Hershey's kisses-filled ornament we had got stolen, Naomi and I were really happy with the soft snowman we got. I love snowmen and would collect them if they didn't cost money.
On Saturday, my gestational diabetes test was postponed, so we were able to together with my cousin for lunch and some playtime before she headed off to her Christmas choir performance. We missed it, but hopefully we can make another year. I've been sick off and on for several weeks, and I'm also still vomiting and having nosebleeds from the pregnancy. It's tough, but it's worth it. The doctor advised me at my last appointment to take medicine so I could rest, so I finally gave in and took some children's Robitussin. I didn't realize it was not a non-drowsy version, so I was pretty drowsy all weekend and slept through the time my cousin was performing. Thankfully Manny was able to watch the kids while I napped for three hours. I normally don't nap, but sleep has been elusive. That evening, Lucas helped me crush some candy canes for our homemade peppermint bark for a party the next day. I used a simple recipe and used bagged chocolate chips instead of chocolate blocks, but it was still not entirely easy to make. I knew that going in--you have to work fast with white chocolate. It still came out nicely, and Lucas was happy to help, even though he doesn't care for peppermint.
On Sunday we continued to celebrate the advent at church. Afterward, we went to In-n-Out. I guess we better enjoy and appreciate eating out before the baby arrives. We then headed to a Christmas open house hosted by some friends from church. Naomi had a great time with her friends, and Lucas mostly played on his own except when Manny and another dad took the kids for a quick trip to a local playground. It's sometimes awkward because we're still relatively newbies and not always sure what to talk about, but over time we'll get to know people better. The ornament exchange was much more subdued, and we came home with a very cute birdhouse ornament. We've received many ornaments this year, and it just makes the tree much more special and sentimental for us.
The kids' table at the party.
Having fun on the stairs.
Beef noodle soup with my cousin.
Lucas and T playing his Cars puzzle together. He was quite the director.
We had a nice day out with just the four of us last Saturday. We need those once in a while. I went grocery shopping in the morning, then we went to Boudin for lunch. They had all kinds of free samples due to the long wait. We then went shopping for some family games on sale. While we were there, a Santa drove by and let Lucas pick a stuffed animal from his box. Lucas picked a stuffed ducky and was quite happy about that. He's into Santa, which is fine. We don't tell him that Santa comes in a sleigh and comes down the chimney to have milk and cookies, but he does know about Santa from various shows and stories and he knows Santa comes to the family party on Christmas Eve. Naomi figured out early on that the Santa story didn't make sense, but Lucas hasn't. He was pretty confused when he saw the black Santa (the store manager) in Elf. "Santa is black?" Haha.
Free sourdough turtle bread for the kids.
On Sunday, I was working in the nursery and managed to calm a crying toddler, which was a relief since I know I don't seem too great with kids on first impression, but I just try to love on them. Lucas has been doing much better in Sunday School after being moved up to the preschooler class. After church, we went out to lunch with E. She broke the ice with Lucas with phone self-portraits. :) She surprised us by treating our entire family, which was very sweet. Naomi had a sudden toothache which made her a little out of sorts, and by Tuesday it turned out a filling had fallen out, and her tooth had to be pulled. It's good seeing old friends; seems to happen more this time of year.
A couple of years ago, I took the kids to this free event at a very crowded time. It was tough navigating the double stroller through the crowd, and upon entering, we were yelled at by a Roman soldier (just playing a part, but Lucas didn't know that and got really scared). Lucas held his head down the entire time and suffered through it for us. I didn't really think I'd be back anytime soon, but the kids asked to go, and I thought it would be easier this time around. No stroller, less of a crowd, and both kids enjoyed themselves thoroughly. We bumped into a couple friends afterward, and it's too bad we didn't know we'd all be there. They asked if Naomi was going to join their girls in class, but since Lucas has started speech therapy twice a week, I've had to cut back on Naomi's extracurricular activities.
We were able to spend a lot more time at the different activity booths in the town. I don't have pictures of it all, but the set-up is quite elaborate and realistic. We saw the food of the time, learned about the gifts from the wise men, and made some coins and jewelry. We watched as Joseph and Mary made their way to the manger, and the performers sang carols from the nativity scene. Naomi likes Silent Night, so that was special for her. They used a sky beam light to represent the star, which caught Lucas's attention right away. It was cold, but they offered free hot chocolate which was a true treat for the kids. Lucas has been asking me for hot chocolate since. Naomi remembered so much from the evening. We still got scolded a little by a Roman soldier, but Lucas tried to keep a brave face and then asked to get out of there. I was very glad we went, although we couldn't stop talking about how much we missed Manny. Hopefully he can make it another year.
Dancers welcome us. Lucas spotted the fire dancer four times that evening, but I missed getting the camera out every single time.
The magi on a camel.
The kids watching the sheep by the fire.
An angel comes to bring the shepherds the good news.
Naomi making a bracelet.
The kids enjoying their hot chocolate. Lucas copied pointing at the camera from J.
A heartwarming performance, no matter how many times I've seen it. By the end, it got more crowded, and I put the kids up on a stone planter to see.
Lucas enjoyed stomping the (faux) grapes and using the grinding wheel.
After a couple months of postponements, and a last-minute change, we finally got together with S and her son J. She is expecting twins, and only a little further along than me, but I'm still not showing a whole lot. We can't do morning playdates anymore because we have school and other things, but we were able to switch our schedule around that day. I really enjoyed our visit. I always seem to feel more at ease with one-on-one quality time, but it also means there's less time to dedicate to everyone I'd like. Naomi is too old to play with the little kids at a peer level, and has now become more like my helper. I know she can feel a little left out when there isn't another child her age, as the adults chat and the little ones play, but she still enjoys having people over and sharing photos when she can get a word in edgewise. :) Lucas is usually more open with people here because he's more comfortable. Some people have said they've never heard him talk until they came over. It's not just about teaching them social skills, but how important it is to show people you care. We may not always have a lot to offer, but we can still give our time.
I wanted to make a simple advent calendar this year as we count down the days till Christmas. I came upon the mini-muffin pan idea, and it was right up my alley--simple (depending on how you cover the holes) and no extra cost. I enjoy re-purposing and depleting my inventory. I baked up one last batch of muffins for the year (mini pumpkin butterscotch), setting aside a dozen for us and the rest for Manny's coworkers. Somehow Manny ate half of those, so we ended up keeping the rest. It happens with bite-sized foods. :) In each hole, I put some character traits or actions on which I wanted the kids to focus for that day. It was easier than trying to predict specific activities.
We were supposed to do our Canadian tea during our study of Canada, and our Brazilian carnival during our study of Brazil (i.e., weeks ago), but illnesses and other things came up. So during our current study of European countries, we "traveled" back and combined them for a review. It worked out that we did it the day Manny and Chris went to the Pac-12 Championship football game between my two favorite teams. :) The kids and I were still under the weather, especially after my strange episode that morning, so we didn't get to invite anyone over. But we had some home-cooked fun, and tried unsuccessfully to spot them as well as another friend on TV. It rained at the game, but not for too long.
Saturday we went out for a quick Vietnamese lunch, and then Chris and Manny went to see Skyfall while the kids and I did some crafts, made lasagna, and wrapped a few presents. When they got back, we went to a Christmas lights extravaganza Lucas had been asking about for a while. It was raining and the display had just opened, but there was still a long line of traffic. I posted a short edited video at the end of this entry.
Chris left the next morning, as we headed to church. The pastor introduced us to Advent Conspiracy, a movement to restore Christmas by replacing consumption with compassion. I liked how our pastor was clear on what it meant, not allowing our minds to wander to legalism, but our hearts to truly respond to God. One of the other pastors had said that if there is suffering in the world, it's not about God allowing it, but us not doing anything about it. It was so great to be back at church after two weeks out due to illness. After church, we had some very reasonable dim sum, and I went to Michael's for some school/craft supplies.
Easy advent mini muffin tin calendar filled with character traits/love in action.
A simple tea for two, with Brazilian brigadeiros and fried plantains, mini muffins, store-bought mini cookies, and peppermint tea.
Our kids Carnaval with Naomi's costume (made of fabric paint, an old pillowcase given to us, and an assortment of boas and leis).
Time for pho. Lucas can eat 2-3 small bowls of it.
Entrance to the lights.
M&Ms are back.
Lucas enjoying it.
Even though it lacks the traditional triangular shape and twine, the filling was really well done in this Chinese tamale (zhong zi). At $2.55 for three of these, it's the best price around as well.
Naomi finished her short-but-fulfilling acrylic painting class. I think it would have been better for her to take drawing first, but that class conflicted with our schedule.
She did this one in about an hour. She said the dog is missing the face, because she painted over it, even though it was fine. I'm like that, too.
A portrait of a random girl.
Naomi spends muchof her free time doing her own art, mostly to give away to others.
A cute drawing she did of a frog in a water lily.
A simple diorama and report Naomi designed and made for our study of Canada. She presented it at school. She did very well again at the parent-teacher conference, even though she wasn't feeling well. She seems to like telling the teachers about the few times when I've left her alone to go do laundry or other chores, but I only do that when she's working on a side project alone and not during the main part. Oh well. :)
Lucas is enjoying home preschool now. He also has AWANA, Sunday School, his sports class, and his speech class twice a week.
The kids kept themselves occupied while Manny and Chris were at the football game. Half the table was Naomi's art, the other half Lucas's food stash. Naomi was making a "Kids Around the World" poster, and Lucas was setting up a "party" with our entire mass of food toys, including construction paper cookies he and Naomi worked together to make. "Cooking" for others is his favorite pastime at the moment.
Last night I was nauseous and couldn't sleep or breathe. This morning I threw up for three hours and had all kinds of orange (Cactus Cooler; remember that drink?) mucus. I was just about to call Manny, but after some prayer my symptoms completely disappeared. I'm thinking I might have eaten something I was allergic to, but I'm not sure. I still got through school and our afternoon party--either too determined or stubborn, I guess. I'm glad in the end Manny was able to make it out to the UCLA-Stanford game with Chris.
Thanksgiving came early this year, so for some there seemed to be this limbo week. Some of my friends and acquaintances seem to have joined either of two camps--either they started Christmas traditions/decorating early or side-eye those who did. Some FB posts show a completely decorated home and favorite songs while others can be summarized with, "I'm rolling my eyes at you people." The truth is that Christmas songs don't make anyone more holy nor do decorations make anyone less holy. The spirit of charity and goodwill should be year-round, even if heightened by reminders during the season (like the rain pouring down on the homeless). If you're not in the mood for baking cookies, then don't do it. Take the money and put it into a charitable organization.
I understand the concern, though. We want to make sure our view of the advent of Christmas isn't muddled by the commercial season and spending time on ourselves, but truly giving out and living out this good news to others. We just can't judge that based on a wreath or some Christmas lights, which isn't so different from any other hobby one has. Sure, Christmas isn't a song or a sweater, but no need to shun those things. I've mentioned before the documentary God Grew Tired of Us, where one of the lost boys asks what decorating a tree has to do with Christ. I'm glad he pointed that out. With its pagan origins, the tree has pretty much nothing to do with Jesus's birth. We put one up some years and not others; no big deal. It was very fun watching the kids decorating the tree this year, so it's something I look forward to doing with them. They won't get it mixed up if we help them (like Naomi's true Christmas spirit song).
Anyway, Christmas is not a competition. Peter need not ask about John, but just follow Jesus. Lay aside every encumbrance including a critical heart, follow the Spirit, give to others. Rejoice!
Even though we've been sick, the kids still kept things festive by decorating the house and the tree. I still enjoy our humble $14 tree from a discount store after all these years, especially this year as Manny moved the tree down to the floor (I had it on an end table for years for fear of it being knocked down). The kids did all the tree trimming themselves, the first year both are old enough to do so. In moments like those, I think about how I can't let a situation or person get me down, because the love, life, the world are all so much bigger than whatever mental prison we keep ourselves in sometimes.
No one is worthless before God. People have put me down all my life, and I go through cycles of letting that get to me, joining in, and then rising above it. If you put others down, you're really putting yourself down. This is all cryptic, but there is a lot that comes to my mind each winter, and it always feels like a personal cleansing time. And I don't mean a trip to the spa, but looking inward by looking outward, by realizing there's a world out there, a suffering world, greater than you and me that needs you and me. There's already joy in Christmas, so I choose to spread it and not be a Scrooge (which I definitely used to be)!
Anyway, back to happy photos:
Lucas couldn't stop laughing. I gave up on him holding still after numerous tries over a couple hours.
Naomi put up a garland.
Lucas hanging a Veggie Tales ornament from a friend.
I love the stories each handmade ornament tells.
Naomi hung up the stocking with care. These are all from my mother-in-law.
Naomi put her $5 battery-operated train under the tree for effect. Certainly the poor man's version of Grandma's tree, but it's very us!
Snoopy Santa from my sister-in-law in a sleigh we found at a former neighbor's garage sale.
And the reason for the season--a lovely nativity scene my mother-in-law gave us many Christmases ago.
I'm still recovering from illness and fatigue, but with some shortcuts and help from Manny, I made it through cooking Thanksgiving dinner. This was our first year celebrating without Manny's side of the family. We missed them, and Naomi talked all night about her grandma. :)
Our centerpiece was a Thanksgiving tree with bible verses regarding thanksgiving printed on the leaves. Four of the leaves were for us to write what we were thankful for. Lucas said he was thankful to God that he could fix things (usually by fixing, he means making things neat and orderly). The rest of us of course had the standard list--Jesus, family, friends, church, food, etc. (well, Naomi wrote "butts"--"What would we poop out of?") We finally used our wedding china. We only have six dinner plates, so I never use them when family's over.
I skipped the homemade cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes since no one would really eat those but me, and I bought the gravy since only Naomi and I eat it. She and I sure missed my mother-in-law's homemade gravy! Manny went out and bought a pumpkin pie and whipped cream the day before. So I just had the crudites, turkey, mashed potatoes, peas, corn, and stuffing to make. I wanted to make my home-cooked spiced cider, but I didn't specify, so Manny bought sparkling cider, which Naomi was really happy about, so it was a win anyway. It still took all day, but it was a lot easier than it would have been. Manny did all the dishwashing and clean-up, which is not easy because we do ours by hand. He also carved for the first time. Lucas fell asleep right before dinner; he has to catch up from when he was really sick. Our friend O came over after work; her husband was visiting his mom who is terminally ill with cancer. She made it feel a little more like a true Thanksgiving. :) I did wish I could have served her something fancier, but it was the perfect meal for Manny, who likes it simple but tasty. I so appreciated her coming over, although I'm praying I was no longer contagious.
I got a pre-brined 14-lb all natural turkey from Trader Joe's. All I did was loosen the skin and load it with gobs of butter. I did baste a couple times, but our oven is such that you really don't want to open it too often or the temp settings get wacky. Manny said it came out moist and delicious. He's a white-meat fan, so that was good for him. I also bought the cornbread stuffing from Trader Joe's, which was good. I used to help my dad stuff our chickens with just toast, onions, butter, salt, and pepper. Stuffing has a lot of nostalgia for me.
Our leftover turkey has gone to a delicious omelet prepared by Manny and a leftover turkey pot pie (next time I'll skip putting the gravy in it). It might be turkey enchiladas tonight, and I'll be making bone soup again. I miss my in-laws' turkey tacos. They are seriously the best ever.
Lucas put all the leaves on the branches.
Relish platter with what the kids like--carrots, celery, orange and yellow bell peppers, Persian cucumbers, olives, and a separated bowl of sweet pickles for Manny and Lucas. Naomi also got to have Coke for this special occasion!
Lucas asleep before he's had any turkey.
A lovely bird. Naomi said she felt sorry for turkeys and chicken, but she likes to eat them anyway.
