HO HO HO

With Christmas bearing down like a freight train, it's tough to be reflective when you have to shop, clean, decorate, shop, entertain, send cards, shop, wrap, mail, shop.The busyness can be wearing but it's a pleasure at times. This weekend was jam packed with fun. On Saturday we had our traditional morning out with Grandma P to buy a tree, then breakfast at the local diner. Then I rushed out to do some shopping, returning to pick up Lela and take her to her Chinese Class. We returned to Grandma's house and decorated her tree. Busy but nice. Sunday we had church immediately followed (after a 45 minute drive) by the annual FCC (Families with Children from China) Holiday Party. There were dozens of families with little girls and a sprinkling of boys from China, dressed in their holiday best. All those little girls twirling on the dance floor in red, black, pink and gold velvet , taffetta and tulle was a lovely sight.
Santa visited with gifts (provided by parents.) This year we finally have a Santa picture! Lela overcame her fears and now says she, "Loves Santa." Lian is pretty un-phaseable so a big guy in a red suit was just one more oddity of her new life, though she was not crazy about being scooped up on his lap. She's very self confident. After scoping out the scene she felt comfortable checking out the dance floor, food line, the DJ booth, and other peoples's plates, while periodically checking back with us to see if any interesting food had appeared in her absence. Lela picked at the brunch buffet but managed an enormous bowl of strawberry icecream with sprinkles and cherries for desert.