We've gotten into the full Christmas swing. On the 5th, Jackson went to visit Dr. Robins and got a good bill of health on his L ear. While the very upper levels of sound have been affected, his middle-range, the speaking and low range is normal now. As long as he protects his hearing, he'll be great. The implant is working well and Dr. Robins was pleased. He said that most people don't get such a great result.
On Friday night, the kids got to come to school for the National Honor's Society babysitting evening. They had a marvelous time, and even Max had a great time. His diaper failed, however, and he required new clothing. He came home in a cute yellow NHS shirt. We wrote our letters to Santa when we came home that evening, and then put our shoes out for St. Nicholas to fill.
On Saturday morning, the shoes had been filled with delicious hand-rolled peppermint candy canes, and we cleaned the house and had a St. Nicholas Day feast. John made a gorgeous turkey, sweet-potato soup, candied yams, candied carrots, green bean casserole with hand-breaded Frenched onions, and cornbread-foccacia dressing with cherries and sausage. Everything was yummy, and Xandri loved the sweet-potato soup. She was tempted to lick the bowl.
Jack gave a talk about the secret of giving at church today. He read a message by President Henry B. Eyring, and he read the whole thing by himself! He's amazing. It's awesome how kids learn to read. Xandri is totally engrossed in figuring out what letters form which words and how they do it. She's interested in being a good reader. Asa has figured out "A's" and can find all sorts of A's. He's great at big and little A's---because his name contains both. ;o)
Yesterday, we got to celebrate Maddie Sue's 7th birthday (one day late!) We went to Jen & Joe's and her party was wonderful. Maddie enjoys everything so much. When we sang Happy Birthday, we added "Ho Ho Ho" in between each line, and each time we sang "Ho, Ho, Ho" she'd blow out one of her candles. When she got all the candles blown out, she raised her hands in victory and said, "YAY!" She was as excited by a box of popcorn and a Ziplock bag as she was her other gifts. She was super excited by "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas" which Aunt Anna gave her.
Tonight, we're going to drive around looking for places to leave Christmas Pixie items. Then we're going to catch the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional. We DV-R'd it last night and will discuss it for Family Home Evening.
The season passes so quickly! I can't believe it's already December 8th... If I don't take time to actually DO things with my kids, the days would just disappear. We have scouts and pixies to do tomorrow (and a board of review---and I'm supposed to go to Relief Society's dinner). On Wednesday, we're going swimming for the first time at the Lehi Legacy center. We got a year's pass to the Legacy center and I want to go at least 3 times this month while we have time off. On Thursday, my visiting teachers are coming. On Friday, John and I are going on a date... we might even make it to the temple! On Saturday, we have breakfast with Santa Claus with the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation at BYU and the ward Christmas party, and our lives are busy, busy, busy.
I often wish my children played instruments or danced or did other things, but quite honestly, I can't figure out when we'd squeeze them in. We leave home each day at 8am, and we don't get home again until 4 or 4:30 every day. Then it's homework, clean up, dinner, reading, and bed... When could we squeeze more in? I guess the moms who don't work have superlatively talented children. Now that Jack can hear, we're going to get him playing his guitar, and hopefully... the rest can get some musical training, too.
