It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Well no, not really. It's getting closer (12 days left) so it should look like it. Well, it's an Ohio Christmas. Cold and wet. Must start writing the Christmas missive soon. The kiddos have one more week before their break begins and Greg's folks are coming our way next Saturday. Christmas shopping is almost done--shopping for the kids should be easy, but for the first time we spending alot of time asking if we have enough or too much? It's so easy to go overboard. We are entering the year of more pricey items (ergo fewer as well). Today I realized a need a few days solid just to sort through stuff in the house and pass it along! It is so relaxing to have tidy spaces! But that also means letting go of things as well. What to do with the Thomas the Tank table that Greg's parents bought? How much stuff can we honestly keep for the grandchildren??

Ryan's tastes are getting more complex. He is still devoted to books but is also fascinated with his DS, and Legos. Today he planned and executed a carnival in the living room . There were four games (with prizes). It was a wonderful effort and I love his creativity. He also wants a Chinese New Year party. Since Chinese New Year falls on Valentine's Day next year (and it's a Sunday) we'll aim for Saturday.

Charlotte is still making books and gluing and taping and cutting. She is getting popsicle sticks, more glue, a hole punch and her own stapler. Today she got a stack of colored paper and sturdier tape dispenser. The love of Disney princesses continues and is indulged.

So the war between public school washout and creativity continues. I am sure it is a battle I am only imagining (just a little). Charlotte watches Dora at K for heaven's sake and is learning some cheer type songs to remember her ABCs etc. But I grit my teeth and breathe. It's hard! Ryan is learning so much about descriptive writing and is excelling in math. I am finally coming to grips with them in public for 2 more years. If we don't move, Ryan would still have 2 years at Antioch and Charlotte would have four. The current battle involves teaching Ryan (and Charlotte a little) how to be generous with their time (especially with each other). There are times Ryan definitely wants to be alone or seems to not want to be bothered by his sister. He can be mean in the way he tries to avoid her. He likes to make excuses, races ahead of her to be first and just in all frustrates her. However, while we can admonish him, modeling what he should do is definitely something we need to start. Patience again. It is not an easy thing when we are frequently rushed ourselves.