Keeping Christ in Christmas

We haven't spent a lot of time preparing for Christmas this year.  In the past, the kids and I have gone through 4 weeks of Christmas-related Bible lessons and crafts by this time...not this year.  Something about moving half-way across the country (and perhaps the 70-degree weather) makes me feel like it couldn't possibly be the end of the year and the time to celebrate Jesus' birth.

We may not have gotten crafty and creative in our efforts to keep our kids' focus on the Lord this holiday season, but we did work hard on memorizing a scripture passage.  As a test, the kids recited their verses at the end of each week.  Here are two of our best takes.

Enjoy!

And yes, we do motivate through jelly beans around here!  :)

Conversations

When you spend your days with a 4-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a nearly-verbal 13-month-old you never know where the conversations will take you. Many times they flop and other times they take flight in ways you never imagined would be possible.

Yesterday and today we had a few conversations that made me smile. I'm sure these aren't as engaging to you as they are to me, but in a few years I'll be glad to have a record of them.

Enjoy!

The Identity of Jesus
Hannah: "Jesus is the kinged of kings."
Joshua: "No, He's the Son of God."
H: "But He is the kinged of kings. (Pause) Jesus is the Majesty."
J: "No, He's not the Majesty."
H: "Yes, He is."
J: "No, He's not."
H: "Mommy, Joshua says that Jesus is not the Majesty. (Pause) Is Jesus the Majesty, Mommy?"
Me: "Well...yes, He is the Majesty."
H (singing to "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore"): "Jesus is the Majesty. Alle-yoo-yah. Jesus is the Majesty. Alle-yoo-oo-yah."

Prophet or King? And Other Curiosities
Joshua: "Obadiah was a king."
Me: "No, Obadiah was a prophet."
J: "Well, he was just a king."
M: "No, he was a prophet."
J: "Obadiah was a king."
Hannah: "No, Joshua. Obadiah was a prophet!"
J: "Well, when I was little, before I came home from the hospital, Daddy used to call me Obadiah."
M: "We never actually called you Obadiah, but Daddy thought we should name you that."
J: "But before I came home from the hospital you did call me Obadiah. And then Daddy put me in a car seat and I cried and then I fell asleep in the car and then I was home. And that was while Hannah and Abby were in your tummy, Mommy, after I came out."
M: "Ummm....Hannah and Abby were not in my tummy then."
H: "Yes, we were. We were in your tummy together."
M: "No, you and Abby were never in my tummy at the same time."
J: "Why weren't Hannah and Abby in your tummy at the same time, Mommy?"
M: "Ummm..."
Abby: (cries from the other room)
Me (thinking to myself): "Saved by the bell!"

Happy Birthday, Abby Joy!

On Sunday we celebrated Abigail's first birthday. It's crazy to think that an entire year has passed since her birth. At this point in my life I have fully joined the ranks of parents who constantly say, "It goes by too fast!" Didn't we just get home from the hospital???

Miss Abigail started walking about a month ago. She says "what's that?", waves good-bye, blows kisses goodnight, and hugs her baby doll. One thing I just love is when I'm putting her to sleep - I always say, "Good night, Abby Joy. I love you." Each time she looks up at me and smiles a big smile. And can this girl ever smile! :)

Hopefully we'll post a video or two of Abby eating her birthday cupcake and opening her gift. However, in the very likely event that we never get around to it I'm posting a few photos here.

Enjoy!

She couldn't wait to get her hands on a cupcake, but in the end I'm not sure that she enjoyed the texture.

She did enjoy the taste, however! :)

Once the gift was in her line of sight, Abigail all but ran to it. I was amazed because she hasn't really seen us open gifts before, but she knew it was for her and she was excited. Once she reached the bag, she quickly grabbed the tissue paper and started playing. It just goes to show that kids play with the wrapping just as much as the gift.

Picking out a gift for a one year old is pretty challenging, especially when this one already has toys passed down from big brother and sister. I noticed that she was taking Hannah's doll a lot - and that was causing some friction between the two. So, we opted for a very girly gift: a new doll. Just like with the wrapped present, Abby knew that this was for her. Once she got over playing with the tissue paper, she grabbed the doll out of the gift bag, and picked up (as shown above). She proceeded to hug and carry her doll for several minutes. And now she sleeps with her baby for naps - very cute indeed!

Abby's Early Keyboard Skills

Abigail has discovered the keyboard. She walks over, stands on her tiptoes, and reaches up to play whatever keys her little fingers can hit. So, I decided to pull up her high chair and let her have a bit of "practice time". Here's a video of her early keyboard skills. I am her mom and I think she's fantastic in every way, so does it surprise you that I think she's pretty good for an 11 month old? :)

Enjoy!




P.S. After Joshua ruined Abby's piano time, he attempted to console her by singing "Abigail, Jesus loves you! Abigail, Jesus loves you!" He may have done better to kindly move her high chair back to the center of the keyboard and wait for his own turn, but the song was thoughtful.

P.P.S. Please accept my apologies for another dark video. I know...it's hard to see what's going on, but what can I say? The iPad with all its video quality goodness was with Claude at work. :)

Abigail's First Laugh

We caught Abigail's first laughs on video. Enjoy!

She's Here!

We are very proud to announce the arrival of our third child!

Abigail Joy Yong En Chew
18 September 2010, 8:02 a.m.
8 lbs., 19.5 inches