Jack's Christmas Program

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Christmas Recital

Kristina's students performed at the annual Christmas Piano Recital. First year performer: Mariana!

Santa...revealed.

Friday morning I went to wake Mariana up for school. Usually she "mm-hmm's" me until I come back again five minutes later, when it's time for her to really get up. This time, however, she immediately launched into the question, "Mom, is Santa Claus real? And I WANT THE TRUTH."

I knew this was coming. She has been pondering this question for weeks now, and I'd been able to evade the question thus far. I had even wrapped a few gifts from Christiaan and me, purposely, so she would know that we give her and Jack presents, and then I was planning on putting out a few more for Christmas morning from Santa. (Disclaimer: we teach our kids the REAL meaning of Christmas - Jesus becoming a human, coming in the form of a baby, a Gift to us, which is why we exchange gifts. We hang stockings and enjoy pretending Santa comes, too. For fun.)

So, back to her question. I didn't want to lie. She had successful phrased the question in a way that pinned me to the wall. I told her I'd be right back. I ran down the hall to Christiaan and was like, "What do I tell her?" He said, "Tell her, 'Santa is fun!'" I told him, "She's not going to buy it. She's been thinking way too hard on this!"

I went back to her room and told her the truth. Santa was real. But not anymore. We have fun pretending he comes. She guessed, "But the presents are really from you and Papa?" I had to admit, "yes." "I KNEW IT!" she exclaimed.

Then we had a nice heart-to-heart where I threatened her that she would not get any of those extra presents if A) She went looking for the presents, or B) She told Jack. I think the threatening worked! :)

Now we have to keep the dream of the toothfairy alive...

Mariana's 8th Birthday!
Our little girl is growing up -- fast! She loves Jesus, is becoming an accomplished reader, still loves school, is learning to play the piano, and has big teeth coming in. Boy, that changes her look!





We started her birthday celebration last Saturday (Dec.1)with a trip to see the movie "Enchanted" and ice cream with Chloe Sylvester, her friend from church. Cute movie!





















Then our neighbor, Christina, and her mom, Pat, took Mariana for lunch and birthday shopping on Sunday.

Mariana's birthday was on Tuesday, December 4th. We started the morning by waking her up with 8 roses...8 roses for Mariana Rose! OK, actually she was so excited that she woke up 20 minutes before I usually wake her up on school days, and I had to send her back to bed so I could "wake her up". Grandpa Bakker stopped by to wish her a Happy Birthday and Grandma and Opa called.

Good morning, birthday girl!

We had baked special cupcakes for her class. She even said a speech to her class. She has to do one per quarter. Her speech was on Maebe, our Boxer. She did a great job. She got to wear a golden crown and the class sang to her and prayed a special prayer for her.







For our finale -- the one with opening presents and cake, we had hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner with the Esmeyer family (Grandpa and Grandma had to go to a class and came over on Thursday instead).

Oh yeah, got money to burn!

Music box from Opa and Oma

Pretty cake

New ugg slippers

Oh, brother!

We love you, Mariana!