The Gift of Haircuts!

Our Christmas break is going well--- busy.... loud... rambunctious.... fun... crazy.... did I say loud... and most of all we are staying family oriented.

This December, we did the unthinkable.

John and I decided to tell the kids the truth about Santa. This was a decision that was made in an effort to focus on Jesus-- the reason for the season. The more and more that we have thought about it, the more we see Santa being more the focus during this time of year, and we wanted to make sure that Santa didn't steal the spotlight. It sure is hard to buy wrapping paper, gift tags, etc. without some reference to Santa-- but I tried. The kids will still get a few gifts and have a wonderful Christmas nonetheless-- but this year the kids will not be up at the crack of dawn snooping around the Christmas tree to see what the old man in the red suit brought them. Instead, we will get up early, but not too early, and have Cinnamon rolls compliments of Caleb who wants to treat his family to a sweet breakfast treat. Then we will exchange gifts, and attend church in honor of Jesus. Later, we will have family over for a nice dinner.

Alex is such a little cheese! He is always so happy, despite the rigorous physical therapy I continue to do with him many times a day. His gait has improved drastically and he hardly crosses his feet when he walks. The Orthopaedic Surgeon called and said that after talking to his colleagues, he felt that Alex should not have surgery to correct his hip. He thinks Alex is doing so well that he doesn't think that the surgery will improve his mobility much more-- so he wants to see him next year to reevaluate him. As he explained things a little more over the phone, I trust his judgement-- for now.

Little by little, I am doing inexpensive decorating as I find time, so when I came across this wall quote, I couldn't resist. The price was right too.

And it is so true!

In the last few days, I have given all the girls haircuts. Rachel, Annalyn, and Julia are the most drastic-- and Sveta's I messed up with thinning shears. Sveta and I joke about it, and I did her hair all crazy because she loves when I brush and blow dry her hair.

Julia and Andrew love to play a game called Worms.

Look at Julia's hair before her haircut.

Look at her now!

I think it is so cute on her-- and to my dismay-- it makes her look older, I think.

Caleb conked out because not only did he have basketball practice today, but last night he stayed up with one of his friends way too late.

Guess who this is? Adam! Totally the opposite of his baby brother Dennis who is a total ham for the camera.

While I had the camera out, Dennis wanted me to take pictures of him with Sveta.

And then with Alex.

Doesn't Alex look like he is thinking-- Don't strangle me dude!

Shortly after this picture was taken, Dennis drove his little toy car into one of the presents. I was too lazy to rewrap it, so I just taped it the best I could. :)

Here is Alex's monkey face!

Gotta love his cuteness!