Family Mellmann

Today's Advent treat was a little more significant for Patrick. It was so large that he had trouble getting it out of the pocket. Katherine joined us late...I'm not sure if she's actually awake here. Hmmmm...cables and a pouch...what could it be? That would be an iPod mini in his hand. I watched eBay auctions for weeks waiting for one to sell at the low price I was willing to pay. It's a used iPod, but Patrick doesn't care. It holds his music and even has some games. One of these days I'll teach him how to add songs and subscribe to podcasts.

December 18; six more days until Christmas Eve. Normally, following the German tradition, that would be the day we celebrate Christmas as a family. This year will be special. On Christmas Eve Jörg's sister, who is in the US for an extended stay, will be arriving to celebrate Christmas and the New Year with us. It's a special treat because it will be the first time we have a member of Jörg's family here for Christmas. It should be a fun time. So for those of you who are wondering, Patrick is pleased with himself here because he had guessed - before unwrapping - that these were gummy bears. And Katherine is dressed in her favorite pajamas for Pajama Day at Montessori School. The pigtails were a request. Unlike Oma Veeneman (who hated pigtails when her mother made her wear them) Katherine really likes them and INSISTED that I put them in again. She calls them "the wigglies" (probably because after a day in pigtails her hair is all "wiggly".

So, I'm not sure what that face is that Patrick is making, but Katherine seems to think he's weird. She still adores him, but has learned that Patrick can be flat-out goofy sometimes. I love to seem them smile. Chocolate must be the key.

Day 16. Don't you just love the way the kids pose for that opening shot now? I don't have to tell them to wait or anything. They just...assume the position. I wish it was this easy to train them on some other things around the house. :)

Day 15. Over half way. I love to see these faces; smiles, a hint of anticipation. They're looking forward to something bigger than the little treats in the Advent Calendars now. Christmas is coming.

In an effort to avoid homework for as long as possible Patrick got the hats out of the costume box. Katherine loves hats (and costumes in general) so I invited them to ham it up for the camera for a few minutes. Then it was time to get the work done. Patrick worked on spelling homework and Katherine worked on her "Fusion Fun" project (check out FunFusion here or here )...she'll sit and work on these for long stretches of time.

Patrick keeps asking if the WHOLE calendar is filled with candy. I'm just reading between the lines here, but I think he actually likes the non-candy things better...frankly, so does Katherine.

We're half way there. The kids eagerly get ready for school so that they can rush down to do their Advent Calendars...hmmmm - how am I going to get them to get ready for school again on January 4th when there are no more treats to be had? Today's treat was Sweet Tarts...emphasis on the tart. :)

Saturday, Advent Day 12. Today is a non-edible treat day. Patrick received a few snakes to add to his collection. Katherine received a special glue bottle that limits how much glue comes out (let's see if this helps her with her gluing projects) and some mosaic paper tiles for gluing to paper and projects. We're half-way to Christmas!