Christmas Highlights

After a wonderfully relaxing trip to Vietnam, we were excited to get home and prepare for Christmas. The girls busied themselves wrapping presents and writing lists for Santa. Larry and I even got a treat when one of our friends invited the girls...all three...for a sleepover. Back in September, I'd won a free night at the new Fairmont Hotel in Kunshan, which is about twenty minutes away, and it was set to expire December 31. We'd assumed it would go unredeemed, but thanks to kindly friends, Larry and I enjoyed a kid-free night. Once again, a gorgeous resort all to ourselves. How these places stay in business is still a mystery to me.
The night before Christmas eve, Sarah took a tumble on the stairs and gave us all a big scare. Her wrist swelled up and I decided it was time to pay a visit to the local hospital. After going to the closest hospital, Kowloon, and being told they didn't treat children, Mr. Liu and I went to old town's hospital. It was close to midnight and there were very few people. Thank God, once again for Mr. Liu. He did all the talking and asking of questions and did his best to communicate to me that in the end Sarah was fine. However, come to find out, it appeared on one of the x-rays that she had a previous injury to her elbow, we never knew about, but it had healed.
We were all pretty tired Christmas Eve, but cookies had to be made. This year, I made the dough in the morning, finished shopping and wrapping by mid afternoon, made our annual appetizer ensemble, and put the girls to work cutting out the cookies. Carrots for the reindeer, frosted cookies for Santa and stockings were laid on the couch. We couldn't hang them by the fireplace or Rosie and Peanut Louie would have made sure Santa never found them.
Katie either forgot the little talk we had about Santa and the Easter Bunny or decided it was more fun to hang on to the dream because she was sure she heard Santa walking around the house. Everyone was up Christmas morning and downstairs by 6:30am. The girls were so excited to see many of their wish list items around the tree and crumbs on the cookie plate. Santa outdid himself. Skyping with our family, though not the same as being together, made the holiday complete.
We are truly blessed.