On Christmas Eve, our kids get to unwrap a couple of presents, just like their peers in Germany. The rest follows on Christmas Morning, like everybody else here in the U.S.   The new Lego sets were at the center of their attention on both days…

A few weeks ago, the Choo Choo kids were studying grains and learning where flour is coming from. This gave me the idea to bring in my old grain mill that can turn hardy oat groats into tender oatmeal. To make the experience worthwhile, we turned our freshly made oatmeal into delicious oatmeal cookies … crunchy on the outside, and chewy in the center. Tobin’s class has one cooking project every week, so i had 24 eager kitchen elves to help with every step. It takes about twice as long as expected, but is infinitely more fun than baking alone.

… have been busy. They kicked off the production with our classic family recipe, which is based on Dr. Oetker’s Schulkochbuch from the 1950’s.

With less than 2 weeks to go, we have kicked our Holiday activities into high gear this weekend: we got our tree, set it up, and decorated it. The kids made some new ornaments, built a gingerbread house, and finally got to meet Santa. When asked what they wanted for Xmas, they whispered something about “pretend dog food/pretend cat food“, which left the good man puzzled … but it’s really what they set their hearts on most recently.

Today, Mami and Daddy had an appointment with the ophthalmologist to get new glasses/contacts. Mika and Tobin came along, and fell in love with a couple of children’s frames. Too bad their vision is 20/20, so they had to surrender “their” glasses when we left. Well, there will always be sunglasses…

Get the latest Flash Player to see this player.

In the first three months of first grade, Mika has jumped up several reading levels. She is now able to read short stories pretty fluently, and can read all of Tobin’s favorite books to him. Exciting news for all of us – on so many levels. I thought it might be a good idea to record her, so that we can take those clips with us on the iphone. It might come in handy at the doctor’s office, or other places we have to wait for a long time. This is just a screen test … next time i’ll put the camera on a tripod and use better lighting.

This year, Mika could finally have her much anticipated Science Party at Carmelo the Science Fellow’s Cosmic Cove – last year, this popular place was booked solid for months in advance. The budding scientists studied live animals up close, learned how tails can grow back after they have been eaten by predators, and how fast gerbils reproduce (every six weeks!). Then they made their own, glow-in-the-dark, green slime and created a snow volcano eruption in a cup. They could have continued for hours, but at some point we had to wrap it up with pizza and a really, really big strawberry shortcake.

We had a lot of fun ringing in the new year for fellow big boy Bruno. He was generous enough to include siblings on his invite, so Mika was allowed to come along as well. The birthday boy had a moment of shyness when everybody’s attention was pointed at him, but he bounced right back, fueled by his delicious birthday cake…

Our little big girl tuned SIX today … missing tooth and all.

Appropriately, Tobin woke the whole family up with a tantrum at SIX am (…), but at least we had plenty of time to celebrate, unwrap the family’s presents, and eat a little birthday cake after breakfast. Mika finally got her own, made-to-last luggage (in radioactive purple) – a request she’s had for the past two summer trips at least. Sung got her started on Heelys, and Omi Hilde, Uncle Joe, and Auntie Grace supported her scientific side in multiple ways. Omi & Opa’s treasure box had her swooning over many cool things (especially the spinning top that draws spirograph-like pattern). In the afternoon, the festivities continued with strawberry-shortcake cupcakes at school.

Recent quotes from our newly minted 3-year old:

. . . . .

Tobin is sitting on Sung’s lap. Suddenly, he lets go of an audible fart.

Sung: Tobin, say “excuse me!”

Tobin: …

Sung: Tobin, if you fart, you have to say “excuse me!”

Tobin: No.

Sung: Yes, you do.

Tobin: Daddy … stop listening!

. . . . .

Mika is drawing a cat on our chalkboard, and Tobin is trying to copy her drawing. He starts with a bubble head, bubble body, and a handful of legs. Any characteristic feline details are still missing (ears, whiskers, tail, etc).

Mika: Tobin, your cat doesn’t have any ears! She can’t hear anything … (laughs out loud)

Tobin: My cat can hear with it’s brain.

We hope that you’re waking up to a sunny birthday and wish you all the best for the year ahead. If our package didn’t get delayed in customs, you should have gotten all personal cards, letters, and gifts in time. We’re looking forward to singing for you when Brooklyn wakes up as well :)

@@@@@@@@@@ Mi, Ni, To & Su

After 4 years of hosting and roasting our own bird, we re-kindled our old Thanksgiving potluck connection and celebrated at Eugenie, John, and Nara’s house. The last time, five years ago, neither Tobin nor Nara existed. With 6 adults and 3 kids, we had a considerably smaller group than in the years past, but our 15* dishes sprawled across two tables and we feasted for hours. Pictured above are my two different dinner plates and the desserts. The kids had a great time, especially after dinner when they caught a second wind and stayed up until about 10:00 pm. Nara, sporting Mika’s baby PJ’s, showed off her new walking skills and Mika worked through an entire pack of orange origami paper … learning a trick or two from Eugenie.

• Beet-filled Smoked Salmon Appetizer
• Dry Salted, Roasted Turkey
• Sausage Chestnut Stuffing
• Sausage Apple Stuffing
• Yukon Gold Mashed Potatos
• Giblet Gravy
• Candied & Brandied Yams
• Mac & Cheese
• Shaker Corn Pudding
• Roasted Lemon-Honey Almond Brussel Sprouts
• Kale Salad
• Blanched French String Beans with Vinaigrette
• Orange Cranberry Sauce
• Pecan Pie with Mint Ice Cream
• Pumpkin Cheesecake with Whipped Cream

UPDATE: for those of you who were wondering which skills Tobin might have been showing off…

Get the latest Flash Player to see this player.