Operation Smile: DELIVERED!

We had Danielle over to open her gifts from us this morning after a wonderful breakfast. This was pretty much what she looked like the entire time... this picture is of her opening her 'Santa' gift. She was tickled to see her green 'skinny' jeans, green shirt, and green converse- she was on top of the moon!!This was the stash of presents that she got! When I told her all of this was for her, she couldn't believe it. She got right to work tearing into things... she oooh'd and awww'd over each little thing.

She couldn't believe all the stuff, everything she opened, she would examine closely- then give it carefully to my Mom to set on the table. When she opened this gigantic art set, she said "My life is now complete!" I started cracking up, and crying a little... such joy from that sweet babe.

When my Dad and John wheeled out this bike, she make a speed record to get over to it. She said it was the nicest thing she'd ever got... And when I had her alone after the excitement I told her that I had lots of helpers that wanted her to have a special Christmas. She said, "You mean people that don't even know me?" I said, "Well Danielle, they see you in our pictures, and with us... and they know you are a very special part of our family."

And for the very first time, she gave me a hug... the kind with both arms wrapped around me tightly. The kind that your just not sure when it's going to end...

So instead of me giving her the best Christmas gifts a little girl could hope for, she gave me one of the most incredible Christmas miracles I've ever known. She opened her precious heart, and gave it to me without reservation.

And for that, I thank each and every one of you that helped me- for Danielle's sake... but also my own.

Merry Christmas.

Santa delivers some Christmas Magic- a little early!

Each year, the salon I work at throws a party for all of our kiddos. We have lots of food, and yummy treats for them to eat. While we were reading a story- what should our wandering eyes should appear... Santa Clause! The kids were so excited that he showed up... and his sack was full of presents!

Zach was lucky enough this year to be first up! He told Santa that he really wanted the Mario Cart game for his Nintendo DS.

Can you imagine how lucky he was that Santa brought it for him?!? He also got a Mario cart beanie hat and matching gloves!

Next up was Danielle... we were lucky enough to have her attend our party with us. I couldn't believe that Santa knew she was going to be there. I'm not sure what she asked for, but she thanked Santa for her gift and got busy unwrapping it.

Zach was trying to help her...

I heard the crinkling of the tissue paper... and her face suddenly changed...

Her mouth opened wide, and she looked up towards the crowd...

And luckily there were no flies in the salon... because it took a few minutes to close it!

Suddenly the corners of her mouth turned up, and it looked as if it was sinking in.

She discovered a pink Nintendo DS in her bag!! She couldn't get it open, so I sent her over to my brother to help... I don't think I heard another peep out of her for quite a while.

Meanwhile, Kyle's turn with Santa was magical. He was very apprehensive, but somehow Santa knew all about him... and Kyle warmed right up. He started talking, and told Santa he wanted a truck that he'd seen when he was shopping with Mom.

Santa knew better though, because he got him a red Nintendo DS! Kyle could hardly believe his eyes... he was so darn excited he started screaming!

"I WANTED ONE OF THESE MY WHOLE LIFE!!"

All of the kids went to my brother to have them help open their new gifts... I don't know who was smiling more- the kids or him. I think it made him standing in line on black Friday to help Santa completely worth it!

After we left the salon, we went to my Sis in Law's grandma's house to Christmas Carol. The funny thing was she slammed the door on us! (I'm sure it didn't have anything to do with our singing, and everything to do with her alarm going off!)

I know that it was a night all three of my 'kids' never expected. There were a whole lot of Christmas elves that helped Danielle enjoy a piece of Christmas magic- and I can't thank them enough.

We still have a ton of magic to make for her... and I will share it as soon as it happens. You wouldn't believe the pile of gifts we are going to shower her with. She doesn't have a clue what's going to hit her... lol!

Zach's Christmas Program...

Thursday night we went to Zach's Christmas Program, to watch our little ham sing his heart out. I tried my best to get us out the door on time, but by the time I finished all my chores- we ran out the door- and I forgot to put his 'dressy' shirt on him. (Sigh... I guess someone's got to look like a 'rag-a-muffin' and this year was our turn.)

As luck would have it we sat next to Cassidy's mom. We had a nice conversations about our children, and how we are going to handle their relationship. She thinks it's ridiculous that he's been disciplined, too.

Oh, let me introduce my son's first love... her name is Cassidy- and this is the little girl my son is 'sexually harassing'. He kissed her on her forehead, and told her he loved her.

I think she's pretty cute... chubby and blonde. Hmmm... sound's like someone else Zach knows!

Trip to the North Pole...

Our trip to the North Pole this year was as much fun as ever! We started our day at the CA State RR Museum... and it was so much fun to see all the trains decorated for Christmas.This year, we took Danielle with us- she's never been to the North Pole- or the museum. The boys were only to happy to show her around their 'stomping ground'! We kept teasing her all day, because she wore brown pants almost the same color as her skin, so we would tell her "Ack, you forgot to put pants on!" We think we're very clever! ha ha

After a few hours at the museum, it was time to board the "Polar Express"... and everyone was so excited! This year we remembered to bring our Polar Express book, so while the narrator read it over the loud speaker, Zach followed along with his finger. He is such an awesome reader!

Kyle scored a window seat this time... and he was mesmerized with the sights! We would have to tap his leg to get him to pay attention to the excitement going on inside the train.

The dancing waiters brought us out 'hot, hot, hot chocolate'... and the tap dancing and song on the loudspeaker really made you feel like a reenactment of the movie... the cookies didn't hurt either!

Then the conductor came through to punch our tickets...

Kyle could hardly believe his eyes when it was punched with the letters 'BE' in his ticket. (In the movie.... the conductor ends up punching 'believe' in the main characters' ticket)

I think Danielle was just tickled to be riding the train. I don't think she believed me that we were going on a train ride to the North Pole. So when she seen the actual Polar Express, looked at her ticket- and realized we were going for a ride- she grinned from ear to ear! :)

Kyle was getting so sleepy with the movement of the train, and he kept resting his head on Danielle's shoulder. Can you tell he's starting to glaze over? lol....

And soon, he was o-u-t!

Which was too bad for him, because he missed the highlight of the show... Santa! He boarded the train to give everyone the 'first gift of Christmas' which was a magic bell from his sleigh.

We did our best to wake him up, but he was zonked! Danielle and Kyle just stared at him like he was Magic that appeared right before their eyes. It was a bit magical, even I must admit.

Of course, the train Hobo was there to cause a little havoc. He kept insisting that all the bells were broken, and Santa had given us broken bells. We knew he just didn't 'believe' like the rest of us!

After our trip back from the North Pole, we decided to do a tiny bit of shopping. I told the kids to keep it under $10, and my boys pushed the boundaries when they picked a toy for $12.99. Danielle picked an oversize pencil for $2, and I told her she could spend the other $8- but she refused. She said she was happy enough with her purple pencil, and didn't need anymore.

We did have a giant bit of drama after our walk back to the parking garage. We couldn't find our keys, and John insisted that I put them in my purse (which is also my camera bag)- so I emptied it out on the parking garage floor. No keys. Since the museum was just closing down when we walked past, I told John to run as fast as he could back there to see if we could find someone to let us in to check lost and found.

I emptied my purse a second and third time, and no luck. I was in a panic... until I looked up and seen Danielle wearing the backpack we brought. I just about ripped it off her shoulders, tore into it, and thankfully found them!! I dumped everything back in my bag, and ran back to the museum to find John, but didn't see him. We were getting ready to run towards the train, but just then Danielle seen him through the window.

I made them sit on the sidewalk, and I ran across the road to get his attention (which was no easy task on a busy evening) screaming like a crazy woman. We thanked the staff... and navigated back towards the van. By the time we got there, and into the van, John and I were laughing- and crying- and the kids thought we were nuts.

Sigh. What else is new? And for the record... John put those keys into the boys' backpack... if you were mistakenly thinking I lost them, lol.

We ended up going to a 50's style diner for dinner... and had some incredibly yummy food! It was after 9 when we got home, and we had told Danielle's grandma we would keep her overnight. So the boys were so excited to have their first slumber party... and I was so thankful for three kiddos that fell asleep watching Curious George- all with big ol' smiles on their faces!

I love this time of year... :)

Oh boy...

Looks like I've opened a Pandora's Box at Zach's school.

Not only have I requested a meeting with Zach's teacher, they are going to schedule it with the Assistant Principal, the Teacher, and a Mediator. Whoops.

Apparently I have stuck a chord when I made my point about the things they were overlooking.

Oh well, all I care about is being my son's advocate. I think it's interesting that they are already suggesting he is held back next year- during the FIRST trimester.

I better wear my boots, and strap my holster on... wish me luck. :S

It's okay, he's worth it.

Here's my proof:

Dear Santa,
If I could give my family anything for Christmas this is what it would be. First, it would be a diamond reang for my Mom. Second for my Dad a tool box. Third for my brother a train.
Zach

Love it Zach!! (This was his letter found in his school work today...) :)

Just because they're a crack up!

We went to the park last week... thought I would share these, cause they make me smile.

Smiling is a good thing...

Enjoy your day...

Cassanova is in trouble again!

Come here baby... give me a kiss.

It all started last week when John got a call from his teacher, to let us know he was in trouble. Big Trouble.. for kissing a girl on her forehead.

Yes, that's right, he KISSED A GIRL ON HER FOREHEAD.

And he lost all of his recess time the next day for doing so- all three of them!

This is coming after his parent teacher conference, where his teacher told me that Zach was testing incredibly high, and we should consider placing him in a Gifted Child program. We should also consider holding him back, and repeating first grade again.

Mmmm hmmmm... I was just as confused.

The teacher believes that the children that are born in the fall, are more immature than the rest of the class. However, each time I asked her at which area Zach was struggling, she didn't have an answer- just a generalized rule most immature kids follow- except Zach, he was doing well.

So when I finally cornered her, and asked EXACTLY what she was basing her conclusion on, she said well... Zach didn't pick up a pencil when I asked him to this morning.

So needless to say, I really questioned my son's ability to 'fit in' and continue to be a child that thrives in the classroom- not one that takes time and attention from other student's. However, after much deliberation- I decided that I wouldn't hold him back- unless he shows signs of struggling ACADEMICALLY. Zach has always been mature- he used to make sure I had gas, shopping lists and money before we went on an outing- when he was three years old! Since his teacher could not give me one example of him not keeping up with the other students, nor did she find he was struggling to do so- I can't even find her argument valid.

I think the teacher might be more correct in using the word "compliance" than maturity. If the children are more compliant, then it makes her work easier- and I can't blame her for that. I will not however, question my son's obvious success in his schoolwork because he didn't pick up a pencil.

Fast forward to today. I pick up Zach, and met him at the classroom door, only to find out that he had got into trouble for telling that same little girl that he LOVED her. He also chased a girl around trying to kiss her again.

He lost the remainders of his recess after the 'crime' was committed.

I understand that he must follow the rules, and the idea of him not 'touching' another child is not acceptable. I am having a hard time though, enforcing a rule that I find ridiculous. A rule that I, myself, would have been guilty for non-compliance. I would be rotting in a prison somewhere for sure, to this day, for pushing that little girl off the monkeybars.

She was trying to kiss my boyfriend- and what else is a first grader supposed to do?

It seems the same reasoning skills I used when I was six, are now being used by my son's school.

I am going to work on a letter to the principal tonight, outlining why I think Zach's classmate with the family collage of the child and his 'gang-banger' hand signs up on the wall, or the child wearing the CSI shirt with the dead body outline, or even the child that wrote 'butt fag' on Zach's paper might be a more appropriate place to start their law enforcement skills.

Good times, good times... lol.

Welcome to December..

Oh my goodness... we are into the thick of December.

This is the month full of parades, train rides and parties. Well, scratch the parade for this year- it was rained out for us. It wasn't the worst thing though... we popped some pop corn, and had a movie-snuggle night on the couch.

We have our annual trip to the Polar Express Train Ride this weekend- and my two train crazy boys are excited beyond belief. It's always a magical ride, complete with Hot, Hot, Hot Chocolate, story time, and a visit from Santa... and he gives everyone the 'first gift of Christmas'! The boys will also get to spend the afternoon at the train museum- and they always love that!

We also have our annual Christmas party for the kids at my salon in a couple of weeks. Santa will deliver a gift to each of the children, and we have arranged for Danielle to join us this year. Santa must deliver her goodies that were on her list! Santa drove all around Yuba City, even the mall (ack!), on Saturday to be able to deliver her green outfit. Santa even found her a fabulous green winter coat!

We haven't heard anything on what the family has decided regarding Danielle's care. I was hoping they would have a 'cool down' period, and come to their senses. Over the last two days, Danielle has mentioned she has got some new clothes from her Grandma, so I pray my conversation with her brought some light to Danielle's situation. Either way, if we find something out, I will be sure to share it as soon as I can. I appreciate all of you, and your support you've given to our decision to 'add' to our family!

Danielle's family is usually out of town for Christmas day, so I think I will bring her over a couple of days early to shower her with her gifts. I will be sure to post lots of pictures- although I don't know how to take them while crying- wish me luck!

I stand in awe at the generosity of my Christmas Angels- I have the best support group in the world. I started wrapping all her gifts, and when I got to the label and tried to fill in the "FROM" section... I just bit my lip, and fought tears. I couldn't possibly write 'The Baer Family', nor could I write 'People you'll never Know', so I finally settled on 'SANTA'.

I guess she'll never know about my Angel's... but she'll always know about the Magic that Santa delivers. :)

It's been amazing during all of this, because it helps me focus on what the season is all about. The magic of love and sharing... and the sacrifices that our Holy Savior made for his 'neighbor'. And while I am so very thankful that we are blessed beyond measure... I am most looking forward to the sparkle in the eyes of a child that will truly believe that hope is not lost. That she is deserving, and worth every penny spent on her.

I am going to do my best to keep that feeling in her, all year long.

And I promise, if she becomes President... I'll be sure to share all of your names (and social security numbers) with her! Here's wishing for a little future tax relief!! lol