I love December! We had a fun month. We traveled to the DC area for a fundraising dinner. We stayed with Mom and Dad’s dear friends Granny Mercedes and Grampy Hugh Wilson. We had such a nice visit with them. They have 2 beautiful Arabian horses that Granny M and I fed together. While we were visiting they had a lovely Christmas party. There were so many nice people we were able to meet.
After we returned from the East coast, it was rush rush rush for Christmas time.
One evening at around 8pm our doorbell rang. Mom said, “Em, would you go answer the door, please?” I said, “Sure, Mom!” We have small windows on either side of the door so I could see who was visiting. Mom said, “Who is it, Em?” I said, “Just Saint Nicholas, Mom,” (as if he comes to the door every evening!). I was really excited, just not letting it show right away. No, I guess I was startled that he was really at our door—that was it! Anyway, he came in and took a seat by the fireplace in our living room. He invited me to sit on his lap and tell him all about my year and my Christmas wishes. He stayed for quite a while and was charmingly talkative! Ruthie joined me on his lap, but she’s not old enough to be impressed by old St. Nick yet.
Shortly before Christmas we traveled to Cleveland for 5 days and celebrated an early Christmas with Sittoo and Giddoo. It was a very relaxing visit. I was able to spend lots of time with my Sittoo and Giddoo. Ruthie and I received so many terrific gifts. I even got my very own pink tent, sleeping bag, chair and flashlight! Although it was only for a brief visit, we were able to see Auntie Bethy, Daniel, Michael, Uncle Paul and Auntie Suzie. Hopefully we will be able to spend more time with them when we visit again at the end of January.
When we got back to Indiana, we went to Christmas Eve Mass at St. Lawrence. It was so exciting to see the church so beautifully decorated and to see all of the Advent candles lit and baby Jesus in the manger! After holy Mass we celebrated Christmas at Dt and Opa’s house. We had our traditional chapel ceremony before we opened our gifts. Everyone enjoys that very much. It is a very special tradition. At Dt and Opa’s I received my very own shopping cart! I love to grocery shop with Mom and now I shop in my playroom!
Christmas morning our little Abdalla family woke up to a living room full of presents from Saint Nick. I received my own toy piano—just the one I was hoping for. It is right next to Daddy’s big piano in our living room and looks just like his (just a lot smaller!). We took our time and had a very peaceful and enjoyable family Christmas. Christmas Day evening we went back to Dt and Opa’s for a beautiful Christmas dinner. The kids had their own separate dinner party. The littlest kids (that includes me) had our own little table all decorated. The next morning (it seemed like it was still night time because it was still dark) we headed to the airport with the whole Smith family to fly to Cabo San Lucas Mexico for a vacation together. That report will be in the January web update.
I’ve come up with some funny sayings this month, I hear. Many times I walk up to little Ruthie, pat her on the head and say, “Oh what a cute little guy!” My older cousin Mary decided to take me to a basketball game at her high school. When we arrived we learned that it was cancelled because of a water pipe break. When we arrived home I said to my parents, “The Colts game got cancelled cuz they got all wet.”
One morning after asking my Mom how she slept I said, “Perhaps I can have some sausage and eggs, Mom.”
My Daddy asked me one evening if I would like to read a book. I said, “Um, maybe soon, Dad (meaning-no, not really).”
Another time Daddy, Ruthie and I were together and Ruthie was babbling and giggling. I said, “Daddy, what is Ruthie saying?” Daddy said, “Ruthie is just learning to make sounds with her voice and does not yet know how to talk.” I said, “Daddy, is Ruthie talking to God?”
Ruthie is precious and began to roll over from her tummy to her back this month. She giggles and reaches for things. She loves to put her hands on either side of my face and pull my face to her mouth! I laugh and quickly wipe my face off! Mommy calls her Ruthie Lou even though her middle name is Meredith. It kinda sounds cute so I call her Ruthie Lou also. She thinks it is funny. Sometimes when Mom is in the middle of something and Ruthie starts to cry I run to my Mom and say, “Mom, Ruthie is crying. She is probably hungry, Mom. You should feed her right now.” I then go over to her and sing to her and she stops crying until my Mom comes over. It is pretty neat! She really loves me and I am very happy about that.
Visit again soon!