Jungle Bells

We’re anticipating Christmas just like the rest of you. Tonight we decorated a tree and ate some Green and Red Hershey’s Kisses that Angie (another Missionary with Xingu) brought in from the States. It was a timely moment to replicate our family’s Christmas traditions that we had always done in the States. It was lovely, for the most part. Look closely at Ava in that last picture. Notice that lower lip? As touching as our family time was tonight it was also pretty indicative how the entire day went. Mia spent the night puking last night; she’s fine now because apparently she didn’t eat any more dog food. Mia was whiney and clingy, Ava was disobedient and antagonistic with Caleb (although better from days past) and Ella was poorly motivated to do her schoolwork. There were moments today where I resented my children and their overwhelming neediness. It was nice to end the night with a tradition that the kids could connect with their pasts. -BZP

See more pictures from today at: http://picasaweb.google.com/brinleezj/DeckingTheHalls