Okay, I've got some catching up to do! I'll make it quick.

Rene had her first class party in November when she turned 8. We had a bowling party and the kids had a lot of fun - we had about 22 kids.

Here are pictures of the kids hamming it up for the annual Christmas card picture, wearing PJs made by Nee Nee


Christmas was wonderful. The kids visited Santa at Phipps Conservatory and he spent a lot of time talking with them about their interests, and advising them to help their parents as much as they could. REne asked Santa for a karaoke machine, Corrina wanted twin baby dolls, and Hank asked for a race car set. Instead, Rene got a Razor scooter, Corrina got a Pet Playground playset, and Hank got a Darda race car set (non-electric) that has five upside down loops. We ended up buying Corrina a Razor Scooter, and Hank a 3-wheeled scooter, because they all had so much fun scootering around the house. Even I have been seen scootering around when I need a little pick-me-up!

With Santa


The week after Christmas Yahweh really declined and was very sick. He had never recovered from the skin allergies he had in November, and he had a recurring skin infection and an eye infection and was obviously not well. We ended up having to put him down, or as the kids called it "give him the dead shot". They were sad, but they knew he was very sick.

Last week Rene had to get two cavities filled. She said she hasn't been able to brush as well because she was afraid of jarring her loose tooth (that has been loose for 6 months!) The dentist used a laser to do the fillings - no shots or novocaine, and they are filled with a tooth-colored filling. However Rene had a very very tough time at that visit - she was very very scared. But she made it through, and they sealed her molars. And her loose tooth finally came out yesterday so she isn't afraid to brush. Rene found it very weird that when she woke up her tooth was still in her tooth fairy pillow, and within about 30 minutes she went back in her room and the tooth fairy had come IN THE MORNING!!!

Okay, here are a few pictures. The camera has not been working, but I finally got it working by removing the battery for 24 hours to reset it (thanks to the advice of the internet!)

Tony reading to the kids; the last picture of Yahweh



Hank and Corrina playing in the snow - early December