Epiphany Pageant

The first Sunday in January, the children at church put on their Epiphany pageant. Rudy was one of the kings. He requested a speaking part, and had one line that he had memorized within about 5 minutes.
Here are the pre-pageant preparations.

 

The Three Kings

 

Everyone ready to go.

 

The kings' big moment.

Kneeling before Baby Jesus.

Everyone at the end. The pageant was a big success- having the first and last practice the day before seems to ensure the kids know what they are doing!

Cousin Christmas Chaos (2012)

The weekend after Christmas we headed up to Chris and Patti's to celebrate Christmas with all the cousins. Rudy was thrilled to get a present on the way up- snow!

As our tradition the last few years, we bribe the kids with presents to get them to participate in pictures. As you can see, it works better with the older kids that really understand the threat of no presents.

This year Paige and Charlie really understood what was going on. They had two different methods of unwrapping. Charlie tried to grab every present he could and just open them. As soon as he was done one, he wanted the next. Paige delicately unwrapped each present and then would play with that toy or something else for a while until she could be lured back to open another present.

Charlie trying out a Thomas sleeping bag.

The chaos ensues.

And after presents it was time for dessert.

Fortunately the snow up there was just enough to be pretty and not enough to cause any traveling problems.

Rudyisms

*Recently Rudy offered to tell us the five things he likes about school:

• my teacher
• specials
• seeing my friends at recess
• when my teacher reads a book
• math tests

*Paul was talking at dinner about the fact that he had hired a new employee but she had to go through training first. Rudy asked what training was for Paul's job, "Do you have a cardboard wheelchair and a person in it and the person has to take them around for a few days?" Paul and I cracked up, and also thought that it might be a good training idea! (If you don't know, Paul works with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities- most are not in wheelchairs, but some are.)


*Rudy informed me the other day that when he has kids, he's not making them go to school until they are in fifth grade. I told him that by law he either had to send them to school or teach them at home. Rudy told me he would teach them at home with this schedule: one hour to do whatever they want, then two hours for Rudy to teach them. This would continue "until my husband gets home."


Rudy playing basketball outside with a Finn hat (from Adventure Time), Indiana Jones whip wrapped around him, wearing one black glove. I'm sure our neighbors think we're crazy.

Rudy came to church from Church School one week with this paper. When I asked him what it was he said he they had to draw someone getting baptised. He drew a monster getting baptised. Thank goodness all the teachers are very opne-minded!

New Year, New Hike

Although it was cold and overcast, we decided we needed to get outisde for a while on New Year's Day and headed to the local wildlife refuge. Rudy's suggestion of a walk was to go to Smithville, so we told him we could go there afterwards. The beginning of this walk involved him complaining that he didn't like hiking, he didn't want to go, etc.
As a result of Hurricane Sandy, the main drive of the refuge is still closed, so we took a side path that Rudy and I hadn't been down before.

Yes, Paul and I had hats, gloves and heavy coats. Rudy had an opened vest, no hat and no gloves (although i had them in my pocket just in case). This Guatemalan rarely feels cold.

At the end of the path was an observation tower.

Rudy and I checking out the water while Paul is up on the tower.

By the time we had reached the end of the path, Rudy was scampering around, singing the Indiana Jones theme, and fighting invisible enemies.

In the middle of this picture, across the water, you can just make out a blue heron. It was in the same exact place when we passed it both times.