Well, this weekend we practiced "Christmas" by the tree with Eban. I know that young kids open their gifts fast and then throw them to the side and then want to open the next one. I would like Eban not to have this quality, so that's why I wanted to practice. I wrapped a Hawaiian lei and a watering can (that he had) so we could practice b
eing appreciative and saying thank you via sign language. Well, it was a success. He was very excited with the process of opening something up and oohed and ahhed with each "gift." I am hopeful that he will be thankful on Christmas...
eing appreciative and saying thank you via sign language. Well, it was a success. He was very excited with the process of opening something up and oohed and ahhed with each "gift." I am hopeful that he will be thankful on Christmas...
And the tree - we have already had three ornament casualties because Eban loves playing with them so much. I hope to decrease the amount of ornaments that break by placing them higher on the tree therefore we
will have a lopsided-decorated tree this year. It reminds me of the year that Sadie was a kitten and we had to do the same thing as she loved to destroy and kill the ornaments as well. He has his favorite ornaments already...he loves a little guitar that my mom gave us years ago to symbolize 
the hummer and strummer in my life and he loves the three little bears ornaments that I grew up with as a kid. It's neat to see him "take" to certain ornaments.
will have a lopsided-decorated tree this year. It reminds me of the year that Sadie was a kitten and we had to do the same thing as she loved to destroy and kill the ornaments as well. He has his favorite ornaments already...he loves a little guitar that my mom gave us years ago to symbolize 
the hummer and strummer in my life and he loves the three little bears ornaments that I grew up with as a kid. It's neat to see him "take" to certain ornaments.This weekend was filled with a bunch of "firsts" for Eban - He was able to put his sn
ow suit on 
and go outside in the deep snow - he waddled around just like Ralphie from the movie A Christmas Story; He 
was able to shovel the driveway with daddy (not a big help, but cute); He added the word "cocoa" to his repetoire; He ate half a real sandwich; He now puckers for kisses on command; and he ate his first pickle! He also clobbered himself on his chin when he took a hard fall on the dining room window ledge. He now has another lovely scar on his face. He's a to
ugh little bugger. Jackson had one 
"first" this weekend...I heard him giggle repeatedly for about two minutes. Then he went back to being fussy and sleeping. It was worth the two minutes to see him enjoy his little life. I'm looking forward to more bursts of giggles in the future!!
ow suit on and go outside in the deep snow - he waddled around just like Ralphie from the movie A Christmas Story; He 
was able to shovel the driveway with daddy (not a big help, but cute); He added the word "cocoa" to his repetoire; He ate half a real sandwich; He now puckers for kisses on command; and he ate his first pickle! He also clobbered himself on his chin when he took a hard fall on the dining room window ledge. He now has another lovely scar on his face. He's a to
ugh little bugger. Jackson had one 
"first" this weekend...I heard him giggle repeatedly for about two minutes. Then he went back to being fussy and sleeping. It was worth the two minutes to see him enjoy his little life. I'm looking forward to more bursts of giggles in the future!!Seamus has been a good big boy with the little boys. He has loved all the snow and romps outside with every chance...but then he wants back in as he gets too cold - he's our little sally. I love the picture of him outside with an icicle of drool hanging from his mouth. It's a tad blurry but you get the picture.
Nani has been sharing with me the differences between Christmas in the States and Christmas in Paraguay. She is very excited to have her first stocking this year...although our stockings are hung on the staircase because I know Eban would tear down the stockings if they were on the fireplace. She also said she has never had presents under a tree. In Paraguay, they receive presents from the three wise men on January 6th. The men give the presents to the kids in the middle of the night next to their shoes which are at the base of their beds. They open their gifts in the room when they wake up so this will be her first Christmas with presents under a tree. In Paraguay, they eat a large meal on Christmas and receive chocolate too. I couldn't understand why January 6th is important in Paraguay but I will do research on that later so I can educate myself of that South American tradition.
I have a ton of videos for you this week. Eban has been very bossy with Nani and his "tent". Check out both videos of him telling her what to do. Nani is so sweet and listens to him...and you can see a video of Eban being very motherly to Jackson. It's very sweet to watch him interact with his little brother. I really thought Eban would be more of a little terror with him, and I'm glad I was completely off-base about that. And the last video is Eban giving me a kiss...I love the fact that you can hear him make a "hmmmm" noise as he dives in for a kiss!!!
