School in December

In between packing, moving, unpacking, taking another trip back to Moscow, more unpacking and Christmas activities, our month has been quite full.

We have focused on learning about the true meaning of Christmas. And honestly, the kids haven't been exposed to anything but. With no TV, very limited video watching (and everything has to be approved by mom), little to no time in the stores, no "browsing" through endless Christmas catalogs, no making a Christmas wish-list....the kids know exactly what Christmas is about. And it's wonderful.

They haven't even been asked the typical, "What do you want for Christmas?" questions. Their wishlist for Santa, mom and dad, or whomever, hasn't been made, and certainly doesn't grow by the day. What a joy.

The beautiful Christmas tree is enjoyed for its beauty, its memories and for what is represents. Not for what might be placed under it. In fact, our tree doesn't have any gifts under it. At most, you might find some pine needles and some pieces to our Veggie Tales nativity set which the kids have been playing with.

Are the kids sheltered? Maybe, but, in our minds, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I just looked up the word "Shelter" in the online Webster dictionary - shelter simply means to cover and protect. Isn't our job as parents to protect our children? We think so. And, if they "miss out" on the gimmees of Christmas, the endless wishlists, the commercialization of a very holy holiday, then I think we've done our job well!

Each day this month, whenver possible, we have made special ornaments or projects for Christmas. Here's a few pictures of the kids making dough ornaments - first mixing up the dough and then cutting out and painting them...Mariyana and Lillia even ventured out from ornaments and made their own nativity sets.