This December was just different.

That’s what bedrest can do.

But Christmas was sweet.  Different.  But nice.

Santa and his elf came bearing gifts again this year.
My boys, er, Santa and his elf bring gifts each year that they made or bought, or donated from their own stashes for each of us.  I love these fellas.

John and I got the first ButlerFilm release.  A remake of A Christmas Carol.  It was astonishingly good.

Johanna seriously enjoyed the morning. 

The boys got a 57” Remote Control Flying Shark from John’s parents.  Complete with a helium tank!

My kids.

Dinner was simple – Fondue.  Yes, really.  I stole the idea from a friend.

The kids each got one box from Mom and Dad.  Less is more seemed to work.  I felt VERY good about it and they seemed more than thrilled.

Wanna know what they got?

Stewart got a “spy camera” and that hot pink t-shirt he is wearing.  He’s wanted a hot pink polo shirt for some time, but I wasn’t dropping $40 on one!  His came from Michael’s for $2.50!

Nigel got a George Washington costume and a battery powered lantern.

Marie got an Indian costume (no pic yet) and a snow board.

Tabitha got a doll and an Indian dress for the doll.

Johanna got a Melissa and Doug cake toy and a doctor kit.

Mommy got a rocking chair for Ducky’s room.

Daddy got a dollie, too – the two wheel cart kind. 

Check out the flying shark…..

The kids sang a few songs in the children’s choir for our church’s Christmas cantata

I’d share the video but my computer is so full I can’t down load the two years worth of videos the kids have taken onto it to then find the one I want to post and then delete all their silly ones.

I will confess I had the camera pointed at the wrong microphone when Tabitha had her solo.  Marie also had a solo and the boys each had speaking parts. 

I love this photo.

I love these people.

I wouldn’t want to do life without them. 

We are having a party tomorrow.
My Saturday kitchen helper and the resident 2-year-old assisted me in reindeer assembly…

We then conducted some taste tests…

Ten thumbs up!

(Golly Johanna looks like me with that facial expression!)

When we first moved in here in 2007 friends of ours from our homeschool group were relocating to VA.  The dad had already left and the mom needed a hand with some childcare.  I was happy to watch her kids who were at the time boys 11 and 5, and girls 9 and 3.  My boys were 7 & 5 and my girls were 3 & 1 at that time.

After the first afternoon/evening they were here I was overwhelmed by the realization of how stinking HELPFUL 9-year-old girls were!!  I remember thinking how amazing it would be if God would bless every mom of four little kids with a 9-year-old daughter!

Today, as Marie was fulfilling her Friday role as kitchen helper after lunch she came over to the sink to get the cloth to clean up Johanna’s face and hands.  She was doing it without being asked.  She then followed Johanna and upstairs for Johanna’s storybook-time and sat with us a few minutes.  She was working to engage Johanna in a conversation about the books and it suddenly dawned on me… I HAVE AN ALMOST 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER!  Wow.  HOW in the world did she get so big?

Well, as the day (very busy day) progressed, it was time for Johanna to get up from her nap.  In my working to prep a few things for weekend activities my hands were pretty tied.  Nigel went to wake her and escorted her down.  She was still pretty sleepy and there was going to be no substitute for mommy-attention and snuggles.  We danced slowly in front of the Christmas tree until I was too short of breath to continue.  Then we nestled on the couch.  The whole time Tabitha was not more than 12 inches from us.  Nigel appeared with Johanna’s (unrequested) blanket and she perked up.  As Johanna embraced her blanket she lit up a bit and showed it to Tabitha.  Tabitha waited until that moment to lean in with her suggestion, “Johanna, want to sit on T’s lap so Mommy can finish her work in the kitchen?”  She was NOT asked to do this.  She just loved on her.

I tucked her into Tabitha’s lap and headed to the kitchen, amazed.  About 10 minutes later Tabitha came in and said, “Did you hear all the songs I was singing her and how we played ring-around-the-rosie?”  I had not, but Tab resang her custom lyrics for me to hear.

Then they disappeared again.  To the family room, where Tabitha was proceeding to dress her properly to go outside.

Which leads me to this assessment – maybe it isn’t just 9 year old girls that bless a mom to bits.  Maybe it is homeschooled big brothers and sisters who day-in and day-out see needs being met and step into the roles seamlessly???

I don’t know exactly.  But I’ve often joked Johanna has 6 parents, and I couldn’t be more happy about the way God is building our family.  There is one lucky-Ducky on the way!!!

Forgive my paraphrase:

You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your MOMMY’S happiness!

This year’s piano recital had a Christmas theme. 

The first words out of Nigel’s mouth at 7:02 AM Monday morning were, “I can’t wait until 7 o’clock!”  He, and the others, were very excited.

My girls posing prior to the concert.  They look so grown up to me. 

After the performance I got a picture of my musicians. 
Do you love the top hat, or what?

The group, minus one little lady who had stepped out.

In lieu of our typical monetary gift we decided instead to shower our piano teacher (and father-to-be) with diapers, etc.  He rolled with it well.  Poor guy never saw that coming!  He’ll be pleased many times over as the months go by, I am sure! 🙂