Happy New Year!

It's been a long year for Mama Jody. Yes, let her rest on the dog. That is a real dog. Sleep away.

Uncle Marty and Aunt Kathy

Uncle Marty and Aunt Kathy celebrate Christmas with us.

Antonio enjoys his Lego's

Crystel made Marty and Kathy a snowflake that doubles as a kitty mask.

Crystel likes the scarves that Jody and I received.

What to do when your sister is scared?

When your sister is scared and you're afraid she might ask to have the movie changed or shut off - you do what you have to - move over to her chair to make her feel safe - assuring that you'll be able to finish the Ben 10 movie.

Kindergarten Gingerbread Houses

The parents - helpers waiting for the children Antonio's class receiving instructions on how to make a Gingerbread House. Antonio is the child with the red tie. The only child with a tie. On a few occasions he has insisted on wearing his tie to school. This is a good problem - not even a problem. The fact that he is okay being different and that he likes to look nice is very okay with Jody and I. Leaning in to clearly understand how to place the candy on the house. His friend Jacob is next to him. Jody and I both volunteered that day. We divided the time between children and classrooms. Crystel's class operated a little different. They put on art shirts and piled the candy on. I didn't see them receiving any instructions at all. What was apparent is that without instruction they were far ahead of the other class in decorating.

Crystel with her masterpiece. Andy - her friend - is behind her. Andy knows English and Spanish. Crystel is such a great observer that she can mimic how he looks and his voice. I have her do this for me at bedtime. I laugh and laugh.

Andy pointing out his gingerbread house. I can't tell you why Crystel is wearing her hood. Expect it is her quiet way of saying, notice me.

Antonio finishing up his gingerbread house.

And there it is!

Just another day in the life of a Volunteer

How many five and six year old children can you fit in a post office? 40 - it turns out. The children are asking the postman if he is Santa. This is just before holiday break. The teachers can't wait.

Here we are - in a line - looking at the stations where mail is sorted. My job is to keep anyone from escaping the front of the line.

This is the post office lady - way up front - talking about how a letter gets to Santa. We are dressing for the trip to the Post Office.

The classroom. Such nice, quiet children.

Santa came to our house! We have PROOF!

Two cookies and milk left out for Santa. Carrots for his reindeer. Antonio and Crystel wanted me to leave the camera by Santa's plate so he could see pictures of our family. I thought that was a great idea. And guess what happened? Scroll down a smitch and you can see that Santa has a sense of humor. He took a picture of himself! What magic!

I saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus

Antonio took this video of Crystel at her dance recital. Now, it's not perfect. But -it was better than the video I took. So - he gets the post. Crystel is the six year old in the Santa hat. Happy Holidays to family and friends from the looptylu di Grazia family.