Skating Show

So my little Isabelle, yes, the one who I always had to drag her to ballet, tennis, swimming, etc., and come crawling out of her shell and has two new loves in life. Number one: ice skating. Number two: piano. How excited am I???? More than you will ever know. Amelia loves skating, too, don't get me wrong. But, what DOESN'T Amelia like? The girl is going to have to start making some choices because mom cannot keep up. So, they had their holiday skating show. Now, do not get too excited, they were only in Basic 1. However, look how cute my little girls are! They were just thrilled to be out there!!

The Polar Express

Preston received a Polar Express Lionel train from his Papu last year and we were unable to set it up until this year. Preston had "begged" Scott for days to set up his train. Finally, the time came and it happened. I mean I have never seen that boy's light up as much as they did! It must have been 9:00 pm when the thing was finally chugging away with the smoke blowing and the horn sounding. Preston immediately had to call Papu and have him come over and see his train! The pictures say it all...

Jaworski Family Cruise 2008 Cont...

I know I am very late in posting this but better late than never, right? Things are crazy here, with illness of our little man. Anyway, I will post about that later. As I stated in a previous post, our family traveled to the Eastern Caribbean for a cruise in November. It was to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa Jaworski's 40th wedding anniversary. Oh boy, did they have fun!! I must say that I was a bit nervous since cruises are not my first choice of vacation and I was a bit on edge for the first part of the week. However, to spend A WHOLE WEEK with their cousins was my kids' ultimate dream. They had so much stinkin' fun and could not get enough of the pools, ocean, butterfly house, ice cream, endless food, Amelia and the "quarter" machine machines (yes, I did laundry while there), the gold by the inch, $10 purses, photo sessions (by far Isabelle's favorite...ha ha), and the list goes on! The time spent with their grandparents was priceless. To have that memory that many kids do not get. They are very lucky and someday they will truly appreciate that. The girls look so up to their cousins Chloe and Ashley and are becoming carbon copies. Isabelle is now doing her hair, matching her jewelry, etc. I cannot get enough of her "prissness" just like her mom! Amelia is not quite to that point yet! Preston wants Ethan to do what he likes and does not quite understand that a 6 year old is not quite at the same level as he is! Tyler and Ethan are very patient with Preston and try to include him whenever possible. :) Oliver just loves everyone, especially Uncle Ken. If you say "da da da da!!! Uncle Ken!!!!" he throws his arms in the air!! It is too cute. So, the trip held many memories for all of us and if the opportunities presents itself again someday, I am sure we will do this again!! Maybe Europe?

Holiday Party

So I know this is a little out of order, but the kids of course had parties at school! As always, they were fun filled (and sugar filled as well). The kids do a music concert and also a morning of Christmas Around the World. This is where the fifth graders each choose a country and study their traditions. They then transform the gym into one big ethnic festival. It was truly amazing. These kids learned so much and really went all out. They wore costumes, made food, did activities, etc. so that all of the younger children could immerse themselves in the learning as well. Each of the other grades came in one at a time and had to check off each country as they went. They received a stamp upon completion of that country. I truly appreciate all of the extra things their school does to give our kids these experiences!

Christmas

Christmas with four children is, let's just say, chaotic at the very least! I say this while smiling because it is also the greatest moment ever. Watching their sparkling eyes light up as they approach the balcony overlooking the living room. The just stare in awe, taking in the view and contemplating what might be there's under that lit tree. It was almost 7:30 am and I was shocked that all were still snug in their warm little beds. My mom was up making coffee and I wanted to have all things in the house "lit and ready" when the first child woke. Isabelle was the first to appear with her dad and yell "look!" She first saw the American Girl Tree House. She was sure Santa brought this just for her, but in reality, it was his intent for her to share with Milla. And then the rest was history, with wrapping paper thrown everywhere. I must say, to my surprise, Isabelle was VERY patient and mature. She sat and waited while watching her siblings open their gifts and enjoying what they got. Preston was a bit over the top with his "present hungry" behavior. But it was not necessarily that it had to be for him, just any gift would do!! Ollie could have cared, he just wanted to climb into the tree house! The best of all was when Isabelle explained to me that she was very thankful to have what she had because there were a lot of kids that did not get anything. She said she was happy to have her family and that her brother's and sister's were all healthy. Even in the worst of times, when you wonder what on Earth you have done wrong, you look back at these conversations and you know you must be doing something right...Enjoy!

Santa Letters

Each year the children write letters to Santa and send them to him. Isabelle is pretty self sufficient as far as writing her own, and let me tell you she knows exactly what she wants!! The others, we had to help with. It is interesting to compare what each child wishes for, as they are oh so different! That is a good thing! The first is Amelia-she asked for Mia the American Girl doll, the American Girl tree house and the Playmobil hospital. Isabelle asked for the American Girl tree house and ice skating stuff. She also wanted Calico Critters. Preston asked for the Playmobil castle and the fire truck. Ollie really did not write a list, for obvious reasons!

Holiday Card

One of my oh so favorite things is to pick out our holiday cards each year. This year, my dear friend, Kristy, took MANY amazing pictures at my sisters wedding. She called me after and let me know that she had the perfect picture for our card and to keep it secret! So, in the midst of all the wedding photo sharing, I did not let this one off the MAC!!!! Thanks Kristy! You're the best... "...and I think to myself...what a wonderful world" The Jaworski Family Scott, Heather, Isabelle, Amelia, Preston & Oliver