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

Miami

Here we are in Miami for 3 days before the ship sails to the Eastern Caribbean. We stayed at the Marriott in South Beach and the kids loved it! I was relaxing until our favorite middle child Milla got the stomach flu the night before boarding the ship. Let me say that was a treat! It is always someone but usually her. She was so sick that when we went to get on the ship they sent us to the nurse to make sure she did not have Noro-virus. The first day was just getting to know the ship and emergency protocol. Amelia did not feel well until the next day. The first few days were a little rough-8 foot waves. I was uneasy, to say the least. I am not a boat person and I was on edge. Once we got to Puerto Rico, the conditions were better! We walked around there in the evening and basically saw some shops and street vendors. We then went on to St.Thomas. It was very nice there! The kids enjoyed the town and got their hair braided. The next stop was St. Maarten. That was beautiful! They swam in the ocean with their cousins and played on the beach. It was a very nice destination-my favorite of all! The next 2.5 days were sailing back to Miami. The days were filled with pictures, fancy dinners, sing alongs in the lounge, pools, shopping for inches of gold, getting nails done at the spa, and more! It was a fun time for Grandma and Grandpa Jaworski's 40th wedding anniversary. It was all that they could ask for and I think they thoroughly enjoyed it. It was even better that our friends from Germany, Kristina and Annika could join us. Oh, and I forgot to mention, we did have a traditional turkey dinner on Thanksgiving! Yum! The best part of the trip was just being with family. The kids went nuts to be with their cousins for a week and I (as well as the kids) enjoyed being with my amazing husband for a week. Yes, with no computer, no phone calls, NOTHING!! Cannot wait until the next vacation...

To Do Lists

So four children is definitely wonderful and fun but packing for all of these munchkins is not so much. Here is my list for preparing for the Thanksgiving festivities. 1. Go to Walgreens. 2. Go to Target. 3. Get more hamster and rat bedding. 4. Write instructions for hamsters and rats and hermit crab. 5. Pack the kids. 6. Re-pack the kids (suitcases too heavy). 7. Pack Scott and I. 8. Re-pack Scott. 9. Annie to Mimi and Papu's. 10. Decorate house for Christmas. 11. Go to 3 doctor appointments with Ollie, Belle and Preston. 12. Pack nebulizer, meds and appropriate foods for Ollie. 13. Call Miami Whole Foods and get food for the ship. 14. Get doctor note to take Ollie's food and drinks on plane and ship. 15. Call Carnival and pre-order meals for Ollie 16. Follow up with Carnival with special paperwork 17. Arrange transportation to and from airport and ship. 18. And more...

Locks of Love

I am really behind on the blogging, as you can see. Since we had been getting ready to go on the cruise, I knew that haircuts were definitely needed. Of course everyone loves them BUT Isabelle. She was concerned to even get a half of an inch off. Amelia knew exactly what she wanted: stacked in back. And, you better believe she must have asked Mary 5 times during the cut "are you making sure it is stacked in back?" For whatever reason I mentioned to Isabelle that there were children who were sick and lost their hair due to very strong medicine they had to take. She immediately asked if she could give her hair to those children and if her hair would grow back. Our answers were yes and yes! That is all it took for her to selflessly give to these little children. Here are the pics to prove it.