Christmas Gifts

As was traditional in my family growing up, the kids opened one present on Christmas Eve. We let them open their gifts from Totya Klava (our babysitter). She amazed us with her knowledge of the kids--a plastic dish set for Ella that brought a chorus of "ooh's," a big Spiderman figure for Tima, and a checker and chess board for Danya. He's really wanted a chess set but we thought he was too young for it. This morning he insisted that Eric teach him chess. So it was a nice relaxing morning (for me at least) and we had to tell them it was time to open stockings!

It is so amazing to see how animated Ella is, as she opens gifts, and then cares for her baby. She had a two-hour long playpen time with the doll this morning. Although her old, cloth doll is only called "lya-lya" which is what Russian kids call babies and dolls, this one was immediately christened "bay-bee".

One of their favorite gifts is electric toothbrushes, complete with cartoon characters. Most of the boys' gifts were similar, but we forgot about Ella. Who knew she wanted an electric toothbrush also? Happily, her normal one placated her... so far! There has been a lot of whirring noises all morning!

Advent

Our daily advent celebration is very simple:

Light the candles
Color a downloaded Christmas page

Read a Bible passage centered around the coloring page verse
Sing a Christmas hymn

This year, we bought an interactive nativity set as well. So each day we opened a box with one character in the Christmas story and read about him or her. It's called What God wants for Christmas, and the last box holds only a mirror.

VISA!!

Just a quick note to let you know that, along with the rest of the family, I received a visa to return to Russia today! Thank you SO much for praying for us! For the past two and a half years, we have been in a season where we haven’t been able to live in Russia. The end of that season is now very much in sight. The date on the visa is January 15, and there are a LOT of details to be worked through in order for us to move. But we are VERY excited to have the opportunity to work through those challenges!!!

Pa-pa?

Ella misses Eric. She asks ‘Pa-pa?’ all the time. It’s funny, but she’s reminded of him mostly when I’m singing the little drummer boy. She starts to repeat the drum beat as ‘pa-pa-pa-pa’ and then remembers Eric and asks ‘Pa-pa?’ Really last week was the first time when she seemed aware of him missing on a trip. And he’s gone for a short trip this week and she definitely misses him!

Tima's airplane

Tima was so excited this morning that he built his first lego airplane. The one in the picture is actually his third of the day.

What they are thankful for

Here’s some week-after-Thanksgiving thanks. (Yes, I forgot to post it!)

Danya
A family
That you’re my dad.
that Jesus came to die for us

Tima
My stocking
That I have stuffed animals—doggies. You know why I’m thankful? Because I like them!
That I have a daddy


Ella likes to list the members of our family. We’ll trust she’s thankful!
De-Da
Da-da
Ma-ma
Pa-pa (It’s become a joke that she used to say ‘Dah-dee’ but now says the Russian ‘Pa-pa’. And even if she says ‘da-dee’ and I ask her to say it again, she changes it to ‘Pa-pa’, looks at Eric and chuckles.