Caroling at the hopital

Since Kevin had to work today, we decided to do some caroling down the hall in the pediatric ward. We have never done anything like this but thought it would be a great idea. It was not quite what I expected - my expectations may not have even been realistic, nor truly thought out - but when it was all over we all felt good. We had been practicing all the songs we knew from our Hymn book all month, so we were prepared. We were also very shy. We started at one end of the hallway, sang a song, moved down a bit and then sang another song. We made our way down the hallway to the nurses station. The kids all sang a little quiet, but they sang. It felt really good to bring a little bit of the Christmas spirit into the hospital for those who couldn't be at home for Christmas. The kids had some cookies and chocolate at the nurses station and then we made our way back down the hallway, singing as we went. When we got to the end, a nurse handed out Beanie Babies! What a treat. The kids said thank you and smiled. Before we got out of there, a friend of Kevin's asked if we would sing one more so he could record us. Sure. Just ask natural! Anyway, it was something different to do on a very special day for those who were not having a normal Christmas. I did take my camera but didn't take any pictures.

(Side note, just to record the full memory... When we got to the nurses station, Ben looked very pale and asked if he could go back to Kevin's room. I said yes and he practically ran the whole way down the hallway. He threw up, cleaned up, and headed back to us. He ate some chocolate and was fine from then on. I don't know if he had a bug or just got worked up enough with nerves. Either way I was glad that he made it to the toilet and wasn't sick again!)

Presents on Christmas Eve

Here's the library with the tree and gifts.
I left the wrapping to the night before so I was up late.
Kevin was there, but he was playing more of a teasing roll than a helping roll.

We closed the door to the library so they couldn't see in the room.
Here they are in the dining room, waiting for us to open the door.

Here they come - can you see the look on Emily's face?

Everyone saw her new bike! She was very excited!
We also got her a water bottle (which she asked for) that attaches to the bike.

Domonique opening the first wrapped present.

The rest of these are just random opening shots. 

I'm not going to include them all.

Xiomara also asked for a water bottle.
It was tough to wrap and she still wasn't sure what it was.

Marissa actually asked for a Spanish/English dictionary.
She looks pretty happy when she sees it.

Ben asked for a hat with flaps and a strap.
It's a bit big but it works. 

Harmonie working on her first wrapped gift.
(The colorful cube in the background is hers but I didn't wrap it.)

Yes, she asked for these as well. We also got a basketball hoop.
Something fun to do with the neighbors outside.

Here's the art set she asked for.

He asked for a remote controlled airplane.
He got an F-22! Awesome!

We opened presents on Christmas Eve because Kevin will be working Christmas Day. We spent the rest of the day laying around, playing, reading, drawing, and all that good stuff. I made a simple dinner - cornish hens for all of us, sweet potatoes, stuffing and fruit salad. It was all yummy! I was so glad to have our little family together, happy, and healthy. What wonderful blessings!
Oh, Kevin got me a blu-ray player! Now we can watch all the blu-ray HD movies that we have recorded and burned. The next thing to get - an HD projector and screen so they will actually look so nice! He also got me a new game: Settlers of America. We'll have to play it soon!

2012 Grammy Jammies

We opened Grammy Jammies tonight because Kevin 

works on Christmas Day,so we are shifting everything a day early.

The kids are always excited to see what patterns Grammy picks for each of them.

They all got caps and they are truly adorable!

Here they are in their new jammies. Aren't they all just wonderful!

If you noticed, as my mother did, the sleeves are all really long. I gave long measurements so that they would fit the kids for a longer time. The body of the shirt is longer as well to make sure they don't out grow them too quickly (and end up with tops that are too short). The pants don't seem to be quite so long but that's not as big of an issue. The kids all love them, and their caps! Harmonie won't keep hers on but maybe she'll get used to it. Usually they take them off when they go to bed anyway! What an awesome Grammy they have! Thank you!

Early Christmas

Grandma and Grandpa Nichols came over tonight to give their gifts to the kids. The kids always enjoy this time with their adopted grandparents. Harmonie was surprisingly friendly. She did stay with them at Church on Sunday so that probably had something to do with it. We gathered in the library and the kids took turns, starting with the youngest.

 Harmonie was a little unsure of what to do with this paper wrapped package that we placed before her.

She enjoyed trying to taste her first piggy bank, once we got it out. She also enjoyed the boxes and paper throughout the evening.

Domonique knew what to do and she had a great time doing it, as well.

 

Since you can't tell what she received I'll tell you - it was a talking purse with items to go into it. The older girls enjoyed this as well.

Kemiah received out third variety of UNO. Noise and lights have been added so I'm sure we'll all enjoy it.

Xiomara received our second game of Sequence but this one is United States and their Capitals. We'll have a fun way to learn them this year!

Emily received a game called TILT. It doesn't require any batteries. It's a thinking game, and it has levels of difficulty so this one will be fun.

Marissa received Scrabble Flash. We played at a family reunion so we had an idea of how to play. The hardest part is knowing what words you can spell using the letters they give you. I guess that's the challenge and the kids will expand their vocabulary.

 

Ben received the electronic version of Yatzee! I remember playing the old dice version as a kid so this new version should be interesting.

Ben made Grandma and Grandpa Nichols a paper Nativity scene that he created on the computer. We had a bit of a glitch when he tried to print it out because my printer would only print it in gray scale. He figured out that we could just take out all the color to print the outlines and then he could color it. It turned out really cute. I'll make one for myself so we can have it in the house next year.

 Xiomara drew pictures for them. What thoughtful kids!

They were willing to share and take turns and we had a great time playing.

Kevin went to bed early. I let the kids stay up and play a little longer after Grandma and Grandpa Nichols left and we just enjoyed everyone's games and toys. What a wonderful treat. Thank you!