How the Grinch Stole Christmas

I LOVE the Christmas season but I have to admit that I can get a bit stressed out with all there is to do. I want to pick out the perfect gift for family, make treats for the neighbors, something for all our teachers, therapists, wrap the gifts (with cute bows and decor!) etc. I can get a big bogged down even though I put it all on myself. In the end the really great part is just being with the people you love and enjoying all the new and old traditions you create together. One of my favorite books at this time is How the Grinch Stole Christmas by the brilliant Dr. Seuss. I think the message is so perfect. I will spare you the whole book but I did want to add the last few pages.
Here's to your Christmas meaning a little bit more!

(The back story....the Grinch has stolen all the packages, trees, food etc. from the Who's to try and prevent Christmas from coming!).

It was quarter past dawn...
All the Whos, still a-bed
All the Whos, still a-snooze
When he packed up his sled,
Packed it up with their presents! The ribbons! The wrappings!
The tags! And the tinsel! The trimmings! The trappings!

Three thousand feet up! Up the side of Mt. Crumpit,
He rode with his load to the tip top to dump it!
"Pooh-Pooh to the Whos!" he was grinch-ish-ly humming.
"They're finding out now that no Christmas is coming!
"They're just waking up! I know just what they'll do!
"Their mouths will hand open a minute or two
"Then the Whos down in Who-ville will all cry BOO-HOO!

"That's a noise," grinned the Grinch,
"That I simply MUST hear!"
So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow...

But the sound wasn't sad!
Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn't be so!
But it WAS merry! VERY!
He stared down at Who-ville!
The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook!
What he saw was a shocking surprise!

Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming!
IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?
"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.
"Maybe Christmas....perhaps...means a little bit more!"

And what happened then...?
Well...in Who-ville they say
That the Grinch's small heart
Grew three sizes that day!
And the minute his heart didn't feel quite so tight,
He wized with his load through the bright morning light
And he brought back the toys! And the food for the feast!
And he....

...HE HIMSELF....!
The Grinch carved the roast beast!

Kids and Christmas

Merry Christmas! We have had a fun Christmas season so far and are excited to join the Schulenburg family in Nebraska on Christmas day. Bennett and Luke both love the tree, especially the ornaments that look like big shiny balls! We have to be on a bit of extreme 'tree patrol' to prevent any catastrophes. Bennett likes to grab the packages and drag them around by the ribbon. Luke tries to chew on them.

We've been quite excited by Bennnett's sign language despite him testing quite low in receptive and expressive language both in the sibling study and at the EEU. He is signing 'My turn', 'Eat', 'More', 'Boiler Up', 'Milk' (which he means for any drink). It's so fun to see him learn to communicate more.
Luke has begun matching colors in school and stacking up to 6 blocks. It's small forward progress with him but still progress. We are still working diligently on PECS (Picture Exchange) in hopes that will become more useful. He's also getting great at 'Hug'. At Thanksgiving he even leaned in and put both arms up on my shoulders. I almost cried! He has the BEST bus driver (Diane). She bought antlers for each of the kids and they all wore them to and home from school. Bennett then stole them from Luke and tried to put them on himself (picture above). Today the driver sent home a tin of homemade caramel corn and books for both boys. She is amazing! She get so enthused when Luke gives her eye contact on the rides.

Bennett loves to give hugs also - especially to his big brother. He hugs my legs if I don't get down soon enough. Today I said 'give Elmo a hug' and he hugged the giant Elmo that Aunt Lori bought Luke a few years ago. When he is tired and you pick him up he puts his head on your shoulder and then tucks his hands between your chest and his. It is so adorable. I love this age for sure!
He has a fasination with my friend Katrnia's chocolate catalogs from her company Vosges. I have found him sitting in his room 2 times this past week flipping through the catalogs. I hope he buys me my favorite! Our nanny Nena noticed this too and said "Rachel you eat too much chocolate when pregnant. Bennett likes the chocolate book". Too funny. See pics below. Katrina loved them!