Oops, Forgot the Christmas Pictures

This is the official time counter for Christmas morning: 7:45

Anna Presents from either Nona and grandpa

or the Updegroves

Dad and his herd

 Katie won the "big girl" pickle present this year 

I tried to fool them by putting it on the

Mexican tree upstairs

 Big pickle, Little pickle

 Jia looks like the grinch

 Jia in her cool pink puffer vest from Auntie Jenny and Uncle Craig

 Blue Woven cross necklace a bunch of dogs, and the only picture you will see of me

 One of the two presents of the year this one is from Santa

a pink DS  something???

 Our official photographer

 The second asked for present of the year

this one is a huge barbie camper

it almost makes me want to go camping!

 from Nona and Grandpa

 Presents from Auntie Jenny and Uncle Craig

These are just "random" (the really cool word to us at UCF) I forgot to post them, and there are so many of them you have to really love us a lot to go through them.

It's Funny Now

 This is Jia the week before Christmas.  She has received a note from Santa telling her that all of his presents to her will be wrapped in red with white polka dots (he has an example on the card)

He tells Jia that his presents won't be under the tree until Christmas eve.  This way Jia will be able to  tell the difference between the family presents and the Santa presents....

 This is what is left of my "who gets what, what size should I get, who do I buy for, 

are all the presents even.  Did we get the room mother, the after care counselor, Oh yeah, and 

a portion dedicated to Anna and Katie's birthday book.  I had to carry it with me at all times,

as one of my children likes to peak (Anna)

This book is the bane of my existence every year.

This is what is left of the 2012 Parnham Holiday Gift List.

(I had great satisfaction getting it to this point!)

Katie decided to take over the Christmas night present dice game. 

She did an excellent job with something for everyone.

My Favorite-Christmas Eve

I've always loved Christmas Eve the most.  All the hustle and bustle are over, the kids are excited and we always go out for a lovely dinner courtesy of Ellen and Sunny.  Here are pictures of our dinner at Carrabbas.  Note that Jia has her pretty dress on from Nona and Grandpa.

The Greatest Story

This year as we put our Nativity scene up, we explained each piece to Jia and then read to her The Nativity which is  beautiful pop-up book by Franesca Crespi. "they also have a pop-up book called Christmas Around the World" They are not  children's books, They have  gorgeous cutouts)  Okay, see how easily I am side-tracked?  An occupational hazard of teaching.

I was explaining things to Jia and she actually asked questions and was really interested!  I was so excited.

Santa Claus

Katie and Anna have been visiting Santa since they were foster children.  As I have said before, our greatest gifts ever recieved (and Jia too of course)

Our Kid of Character

We are so proud of Jia!

She was chosen as Silver Palms Kids Of Character

for her class.

The category was "Citizenship"

Jia received  a certificate, another certificate from the Ft. Lauderdale

Sun-Sentinel

Jia was also given certificates and  very nice tribute from her teacher. Jia is really coming into her own and we are so proud of her!

Thanksgiving

It has been so long since I have posted on BLESSED BY THREE but I do have some excuses:  1.  I have been posting a lot on Facebook. 2.  My web designer Tina, from THE STORY OF YOU has retired, (the good news is that Anna knows how to do all that I don't know, and that is a lot. )( On the same line, Anna has changed her major to Web design with a minor in Journalism.)  Third reason,   I am just flat out lazy.

Anyway, a few pictures from my camera from Thanksgiving We were lucky enough to share it with Ellen who came bearing gifts, really, really beautiful flowers, yummy pumpkin dip and her company which means the most.

Meanwhile, Silver Palms Elementary is trying to bleed us dry:  Holiday Store, book exchange, Christmas presents for teacher, team teacher, aftercare coordinator , Aater care teacher, holiday dinner, science fair projects, and I am sure I am forgetting other things.  I think I blocked these costs out of my mind when Anna and Katie went to middle school...