Chopsticks Times 6: Exhausted

Well, we are learning how to live life with Jonathan being down to one hand. We are fortunate that he broke his right arm (since he is left handed) and that he broke his arm at the start of our family Christmas break. While that has been helpful, it being our Christmas season is also one of our busier times, so as the title states, we've been a little exhausted. The kids have all been HUGE little helpers with everything, from helping in the kitchen, to opening bottles, helping with laundry, to cleaning house. I cannot complain one bit! Hudson and Lauren both got some Play-Dough for Christmas. All the kids spent some time making little creations. Lauren had an entire pan of food for us to choose from...candy, jiaozi, and ice cream.

Benjamin made dinosaurs. I kind of felt bad smushing it back into the container.

The kids (minus Hudson because he couldn't do it) all enjoyed grossing Daddy out by bending their thumbs behind their hands. It gave Jonathan too many flashbacks from his arm being broken and the kids thought it was really funny that they could all do it and J could not.

The kids opened a few more presents. This time from Grandmommy. Benjamin got a dinosaur, which he enjoyed making crazy scenes with and playing with Hudson and making him laugh.

Katherine got some mini cake tins that were in the shape of a bunny. She thought it was absolutely hilarious that it had a bunny head and "bunny booty" We haven't had time to make the cakes yet, but we will eventually :)

I just love all the many expressions this girl has. She also got a stuffed animal (Dori fish from Nemo)

Regan was beyond excited about this 2,000 piece puzzle! The biggest she has ever done is 1,000. She is ready for the challenge!

Hudson opened a really cool Lego helicopter. He was so funny trying to hide what he got so that no one could see. I wish I had video of all of them opening their gifts because they were all pretty funny. I think they are just a LITTLE excited :)

One of our good friends went into the hospital the same day that Jonathan broke his arm. He was in ICU and we weren't sure he was going to make it. He had a seizure, lost all ability to move any of his limbs, couldn't talk, or swallow. Lots of prayers went up for this kid and he has improved drastically! He still cannot swallow and has a feeding tube, but is regaining movement in his limbs. PTL!

I was really impressed with Regan and Katherine in the hospital. Although he couldn't talk, it was obvious that he understood what we were saying. Regan help his hand the entire time.

Katherine was so concerned about all of his drooling and that his clothes would get wet. She held a bag of tissues and made sure she wiped the drool every single time it came pouring out of his mouth. One time it got all over her hand and she said it was ok, she could just wipe it off. The compassion that poured out of her heart was really moving.

And then there is Gracie...at least she doesn't climb the tree. She has, however, opened a few presents unintentionally (and she actually took one small one and put it under the couch)

Jonathan opened this pancake skillet....5 little monkey pancakes coming up for our 5 little monkeys :)

This has got to be one of my favorite Christmas photos so far this year. It is so them! Regan has her hat perfectly placed, Katherine looks like she should be in a Dr. Seuss book, Benjamin paling it cool, Lauren standing just like her biggest sister but not paying attention to her hat, and Hudson just being as cute as he can be.

These two love each other so much! This was their non smiling picture ;)

One of Lauren's friends at our Christmas party.

Playing games and having all kinds of fun together at the party. My kids thought it was absolutely hilarious that one of the girls decided to try the cat food to see what it tasted like.

We played a gift wrapping game where each team had to hold hands and work together to wrap a gift in 4 minutes. That may seem like plenty of time, but since most of them don't know how to wrap a gift with both hands, they were all trying to steal my kids to be on their team :)

Here are the treats I managed to make before the party. The cake was fun. It was a red velvet cake with green icing...very festive

A picture that one of my friends took at the party

On top of all of that craziness, we had our 14th anniversary and Hudson's social worker came to visit to see how he was doing after being adopted.

She needed to take a couple pictures while she was visiting our home. I thought this one turned out pretty good.

We also had Regan's 12th Birthday party!!! Yes, these are two of her friends and yes, she really is that much taller than they are.

Pizza is a birthday party tradition that all of our friends have come to expect. It was a bit harder this year to make the dough one handed plus our mixer died on us :( So, 3 homemade pizzas by Jonathan and the rest were Kelly style...bread cut in half with sauce, cheese, and pepperoni.

I think there is a better group shot, but the thumbnails were so small when I was choosing and I don't really want to go searching again right now. I may switch it out later :)

Opening presents

Regan's Taekwondo cake....she is currently a blue belt hence the blue belt. I told her I was glad that she hasn't tested yet for the red and blue because that belt would have been much harder to make :)

This is one of my favorites of the birthday girl!

This picture shows the cookies that Benjamin helped me make for the party. They were taekwondo guys kicking and punching made out of tie-dyed sugar cookie dough.

I caught this glimpse of a sweet friend reading a book to Lauren.

We (minus Jonathan and Benjamin who stayed home to rest) went to a park with some friends. These fish were HUGE! I think they eat better than we do ;)