Happy Holidays

The late fall/early winter brought several holidays to our house. There was Hanukkah, then the Solstice (and the auspiciousness of 12.12.2012), then Christmas. Here are snapshots of our families fun times.

Meeting Santa. Havana got in her request for a LeapPad 2.

David lighting the Menorah. We celebrated
Hanukkah with the girls cousins, David, Jenny, Ben & Theo

Then there was the annual Christmas Eve at Aunt Paula's house. Mama had to miss out due to illness. But the girls were thrilled to see their aunts, uncles and cousins. Here is Havana with Uncle Dick.

Uncle Edd, David, & Ben.

C

This looks like it must have been present time!

Cousin Sasha and Aunt Paula.

Cousins Emily & Joanna.

Singing carols; Amara with cousin Scott; Aleksy, Sasha & Aunt Paula in the background.

 

Our Christmas tree.



 

Havana got a little overwhelmed at first. Sweet girl is senstive.

But she quickly got over it, especially when she opened her LeapPad 2. Amara was just as excited that her sister got her wish. Here she is reading to Havana all the things on the LeapPad!



Christmas being the last holiday of this season culminated with a lot of presents. But I didn't want the girls to think that was what these holidays were all about. I made sure that throughout the past month the girls knew what each holiday meant, the symbolism behind the stories and rituals and the importance of having gratitude that we have so much. And the importance of giving to others. I have been thinking of ways to start teaching the girls to give back on a more conscious level while helping them learn gratititude for all they have in their lives. So that will be something we are working on in 2013 and beyond.