Exciting news! Henry lost his first tooth! It had been loose for a while and I thought it would be some time before it came out. Then on Monday night it came out while he was in bed. No tears, no pain. He came down with it in his hand. We made a big deal out of it and had him set it out for the tooth fairy. In the morning there was 4 quarters waiting for him.
Last Saturday the town had reindeer on the Riverwalk by our house. We stopped and got Shelby, my sister-in-law's youngest, and went to pet them and take pictures. Santa was on the Showboat but the line was crazy long. Instead we got in line for a carriage ride. It was very cold while waiting but once we got in the carriage there were blankets. They had lined the Riverwalk with luminaries and the horses took the carriages down the Riverwalk, behind the old school and eventually onto the main road then past the library. It was fun, we sang songs and Henry even sang a song for us. It was so worth braving the cold!On Thursday we went to Henry's school for his concert. They sang several songs. Henry sang every one and even did all the hand motions. I was thrilled. This is the first time he has participated in any school sing. I was so proud of him. I love the teacher he has now and I hope she is able to stay with his class for the rest of the year. She took over the class in October when the other teacher went on medical leave. The old teacher is supposed to come back in January. I do not want her back! She was not good. Anyway, it was important to me that Henry be able to give this teacher a gift since she is the reason he is doing so well. I knitted her gift and you can read about it at my knitting blog.
Henry's class had a party that we were invited to before the concert. Irene joined the group for the yummy goodies.
And, as usual, Henry made a goofy face for me when I took his picture.
I am still hoping and praying for some kind of Christmas miracle. I know I go on and on about it here. I just want my children to be able to come down on Christmas Day to find some gifts under the tree. Is that selfish? Is that wrong? All I know is that I want them to have no worries, I want them to have the joy and fun. I've tried many different ways and things to come up with some money for gifts. So far nothing has been successful.
Henry's class had a party that we were invited to before the concert. Irene joined the group for the yummy goodies.
And, as usual, Henry made a goofy face for me when I took his picture.
I am still hoping and praying for some kind of Christmas miracle. I know I go on and on about it here. I just want my children to be able to come down on Christmas Day to find some gifts under the tree. Is that selfish? Is that wrong? All I know is that I want them to have no worries, I want them to have the joy and fun. I've tried many different ways and things to come up with some money for gifts. So far nothing has been successful. I've tried talking to family about our situation. I'm not asking them to solve our problems. I'm just asking that they listen like I would listen to them. Instead they either quit talking to me, or completely gloss over the bad stuff like I never mentioned it. Oh, and don't send my kids cards saying that you hope Santa gives them lots of great gifts when you KNOW Santa can't afford to come here this year!
2 comments:
Hi Nichole, Long time no blog. I have had my own set of difficulties since I last blogged with you ;) but things are looking up for us. I'm sorry things were slim for your family this year. It seems like its that way for many of us right now. I loved the pictures of your kids doing some fun free things in your community. I'm sure your kids will have wonderful memories of doing those fun things. Your kids may look back and say, "Sure we did not have a lot of money, but mom always made things fun for us. I have a couple of ideas for you for next Christmas too. I got them from my mother in law. She said that growing up with no father (he died suddenly of diabetes) in the 1950's and 60's with only her mother's income (there was no life insurance) was really difficult and they often did not have a lot at Christmastime. There were five sisters in the family. Their mom used to make a chain on the tree (which she cut herself) and on the chain were little cards. There were 31 of them. Each card had a little something to do on them, and every evening one of the kids got to choose one. They were simple free or inexpensive things to do like: make popcorn balls or drive to the lake to look at all the big Christmas lights, or play a card game. It was something she always remembered as exciting and fun. All five of the girls remember mom's chain and the fun things they did together as a family. But none can remember what exactly they opened under the tree or how many presents there were. After looking through some of your December blogs, all I see are happy excited children who have no idea how difficult things ar for you right now. They will probably only remember some great memories of being able to pet reindeer with their mom.
Hello, again!! I'm so pleased to hear from you. It has been a long time. I'm glad things are looking up for you and your family :-)
You are so correct about what the kids remember. We were so lucky to have many free activites to do around here. Plus, I put up every single Christmas decoration the kids made and that really helped with the festive spirit in the house. We were also blessed with a gaurdian (Knitting)angel and her husband that sent us enough money so that each child got 2 gifts to open on Christmas. While they were thrilled about the gifts and play with them, they still talk about the activites we did and how they want to do them again.
We truly had a beautiful Christmas. I'm so grateful to all that made it possible.
I hope 2012 will be a great year for you and yours. We all deserve a better year!!
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