Fifth day of Christmas

Because of our trip to Maryland, we gave our kids their gifts on December 21 (first day of Christmas). They received gifts from my parents and siblings on December 25 (#2). We had planned to celebrate Christmas with Paul's side of the family on the 29th, but those plans were cancelled due to Oliver's illness. When Paul's dad came up on Wednesday , he brought Oliver one gift at the hospital (Mickey slippers) and gave Nadia and each each two of their Christmas gifts (#3). They enjoyed playing with their new Lego sets and reading their new books while he was here that day. The hospital had a holiday shop filled with really nice games, puzzles, toys, dolls, etc. for the pediatric patients and their siblings. I was given a bag and told to pick out 3-4 things per child! Oliver played with his new toys in the hospital, but Nadia and Ian got theirs on Friday (#4). Nadia also got a belated birthday gift from Wendy in the mail that day which she loves - Mulan and Li Shang Barbie dolls! The hospital gave Nadia a singing Cinderella Barbie, some Crayola window markers and window clings, and a Sofia the First set (included 5 small dolls). I had picked out a Star Wars figure, a Jake and the Neverland Pirates memory game, and a large die-cast jet from Disney's Planes: Fire and Rescue movie for Ian.

Originally we had planned to go to church this morning and then meet Paul's parents somewhere and leave the kids with them on our way to the Poconos for a little getaway. Those plans were changed due to the hospitalization, and because we hadn't celebrated Christmas with Paul's family yet we drove to Paul's parents house after church this morning to celebrate Paul's birthday and have our fifth day of Christmas (over a 2 week period). The kids received gifts from Paul's parents, brother, Aunt Debbie, and Gram. I think this concludes our celebration of Christmas! The kids played with some of their new toys at Grandma's house, but some things (like Lego sets) are still in the boxes, and the kids are really looking forward to playing with them tomorrow. Originally I had planned on doing schoolwork this past week (which didn't happen due to spending four days at the hospital) because I didn't think we'd be doing schoolwork this coming week (due to being in the Poconos), but in reality we are more in synch with a traditional school schedule in that we didn't do schoolwork the past two weeks but will be getting back in gear tomorrow. The kids have written a few thank you notes, and Nadia has done some reading, but other than that they've had a two week vacation.

Nadia, as always, wins the prize for being the most expressive of our kids. It is SO easy to get pictures of her just radiating joy and excitement when she's opening presents. The boys hardly even smile even though I know they like the gifts they got. Editing the pictures will take me longer than usual because I was having the hardest time with the white balance. Everyone looks very jaundiced at the moment. I thought using the speed light would help with that, but it didn't. I have so much to learn when it comes to taking pictures without the aid of natural light (or how to fix them in Lightroom as my editing isn't perfect either). I REALLY prefer natural light!

Oliver woke up dry the past two mornings! Also, he didn't have ANY accidents today, and he pooped on the potty twice today. This is a HUGE relief to me. Our trip to Gordon (the town where Paul's parents live) threw off his nap schedule. I thought he might nap on the way to their home after church, but he stayed awake. I tried to put him down around 2pm after the gift exchange, but he couldn't seem to fall asleep in their guest bedroom. He did fall asleep on the way home around 6:30pm, but I think that counts more as going to bed early rather than a "nap." When we got home I gave him a breathing treatment, changed him into his pjs, and put him to bed.