Christmas gratitude

So we have had a few things happen over the last several weeks. First of all my Henry had his 6th birthday. I can't believe that I have a 6 yr old. Henry is the coolest kid. I tell everyone that i am grooming him to be my best friend. I love to hang out with him one-on-one. On his B-day we went to Ruby's Diner for lunch. (we had a free B-day meal certificate) We sat at the bar and had a nice lunch. Then we went over to Bellevue to see a movie. (we had free admission tickets [Thanks]) We saw The Fantastic Mr Fox. It had George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray. It was a great movie and we had a lot of fun laughing and enjoying treats (snuck in, we can't afford the stupid prices of theatre fare) Then we went by an arcade and played a couple of games of race car driving and then hit the Photo Booth. the pics turned out great.

Then we went home for B-day dinner. Henry had asked for broccoli! We added on some salmon and wild rice to make a meal. Henry received some real tools and a fishing pole (one for me too) After he opened presents, we had cake. Henry had requested a volcano cake, so I took on the construction of it. I had to find a pump, and some tubing... Let's just say that it might very well be the only erupting birthday cake ever! Christmas has been alot of fun. As much as it sucks being unemployed, I have seriously enjoyed the time to be spent with my family. We have breakfast, lunch and dinner together. We play cars, dolly, and watch movies. Love it!!!!
So Henry has been asking us questions about this homeless dude that he sees on his way to take Fernie to her speech therapy every week. I explained that he does not have a home or money, nor food, nor family. A couple of days later he came to me with the idea that we should help him. I asked him what he that would be good to do. He said that we should give him some money, some socks and some finger nail clippers (?!) I thought that it was a good idea. He cleaned out his piggy bank and donated it all. $3.27. That's alot for a kid, especially when he gets it from finding it on the ground! Anyhow we added in $5 and some cookies, wrapped it up and took it to the guy. I don't know what the guy did with the money. [ i hope that it renews his faith in humanity and in God. Henry told him in a letter that God loves everyone and that praying can help you feel it] I hope that this experience helps to re-enforce Henry's charity and compassion for fellow human beings. I am reading a book tight now, The Unprocessed Child, and the gist of it is that kids inherently have many attributes that will serve them well in the world. It is our job as adults to not spoil or crush those things out of them but to give them lots of room to develop them on their own.
The kids were very excited about Christmas. The amazement of Santa and elves was palpable. We have received so much a pouring out of love and generosity to us in this season. Each of you knows who you are: Thank you!
We even caught someone leaving an envelope at our door. We drove up and I saw a guy jump into our bushes, then a couple of seconds late he comes running out with his hood over his head and runs across the yard and disappears. Very random, and cool. I think that it was one or more of the young men that I have taught. (thanks guys).
Christmas eve brought a nice dinner and the story of Christ's birth. Christmas day, of course, brought toys and fun. The coolest thing that i can think that anyone got was that Lyn took an adult, lightweight 25 degree sleeping bag and remade it into one that is sized for a little boy. They only sell 'sleep over bags' in that size. Any how now Henry can go backpacking with me in harsher conditions and it can extend our hike-able season by several months. Actually we are planning on going snow camping in Jan. We are going to build a snow cave to sleep in. It's lots of fun. (done it many times).Fern got a new dolly, and the family got the Planet Earth series.
Any how we are headed over to Ephrata to see my (Caleb's) family and spend New Years over there.
We hope that you all have had a beautiful Christmas and that the new year brings you more joy and peace. God bless you.
love the Nelsons