Yup, more and more respect for my mother and father everytime we have a holiday where we have more than my 4 kids around.  Denise and her 2 girls arrived on Christmas eve.  There seems to be nearly constant bickering and fighting -which then alternates with seconds of nice cooperative play. 

• On Christmas eve, we tried to recreate the annual Christmas stocking picture.  Riley was being a pill so we got pictures like this…

• and this…

• and this…

• and finally one where most of the kids were “smiling” and looking forward…

• Well, except for Riley who hid behind Nina.  Afterwards, he felt bad and so he agreed to stand alone for a picture and we got this…

Isn’t he getting tall?  His head is over the top of the mantle. 

• And this one of the 3 older kids…

Categories: adoption, Christmas, Family, Mothering 4, Single Parent