The "Sprite" of Christmas

It has been enormously satisfying to teach Chelsee about our American traditions surrounding this time of year. I imagine our traditions must seem bizarre to someone new here but to a little kid whom we assume never celebrated much of anything other than Chinese New Year - well you would just think it would be overwhelming....and it is to Chelsee. But she seems to want to learn more and more. We just take it slowly for her sake.

We were VERY successful during Halloween - see previous post! Then Thanksgiving...ahhh! Food and time with her family - yep, another wonderful tradition she has taken to. Who knew she liked sweet potatoes? Her teacher spent a few days talking about and teaching the kids about Thanksgiving, the pilgrims and the ways to show you are thankful for what you have. She has that skill down pat! Little does she know yet just how thankful we are for her!!

And now Christmas is upon us ~ our first together! I'm trying to go easy but the media, tv and friends make it a little hard to keep the spirit of Christmas intact. I've talked to Chelsee about our traditions and she likes to feel a part of them. I like it when I overhear Julee telling her how we do things. Like most things Chelsee encounters, she asks 100 questions...about God, Christmas songs, red and green, Santa Claus, Winter break from school, etc. My gut tells me it's good she asks so many questions cause she is still making her way in this new world. But lordy, it's hard to stay patient and answer each question with an appropriate answer! Chelsee likes to repeat what she learns to anyone who will listen and we get the biggest laughs when she applies her new language to these new topics. I heard her tell her dad all about the "Sprite" of Christmas! She is soo funny! I love it that she can laugh at herself too!

Merry Merry Christmas my sweet doll. We are SO happy to be celebrating our first Christmas together with you! You have made us all smile a little more and laugh a little more....what a difference from last Christmas when I was at the end of my rope waiting for you, my sweet angel. Thank you God and Happy Birthday!