All by herself! (well, almost...)

Though Anneke has shown much interest and capability in learning her letters and their sounds, she has not had any desire to learn how to print them herself. (Trying to get her to do so on our school days with Ashleigh and Hannah is worse than pulling teeth!) But this afternoon she surprised me by coming to me with a paper in hand and claiming she had written her name. Oh me of little faith! I confess to doubting... but lo and behold, she really had written her name! All but the last "e", which I advised her to add, so she did. I had to be to borrow it off her so I could scan it in, as she didn't want to part with it! I don't know which of us is more proud!

More Pakjes Pictures

We had a great time last Friday! 'tho as Rachel mentioned, we missed you, John & Betty & kids. You're in our prayers!
Cute wrappings, eh? We especially like the "piano" you made for Rachel, Elisabeth! :) ||

Anneke's First Pun

"We shouldn't touch plants, right? They should just be 'leaved' alone!"

Corny, I know! And unintentional, of course. Her grammar leaves something to be desired at times; especially her frequent references to size, age, etc: "I'm big than Jo. Ashleigh said she's big than me, but I said, 'no, you're not big than me, I'm big than you!'" She is great for keeping track of the pecking order... As she often reminds Joseph, "you only get one toy because you're only one year old, but I get two 'cause I'm big than you..."

Thanks again everyone for the great gifts at Pakjes. Anneke plays with her new doll and blocks almost every waking moment. And Christine, Joseph loves the garbage truck. I think he's especially pleased to have a toy for his very own. Woe to the soul who dares touch it in his absense! The moment he detects that it is being meddled with (as is evidenced by it's striking up one of it's familiar tunes), he comes charging over shouting indignantly, "My! My!"

Bets, sorry you couldn't be with us! I hope you are nevertheless enjoying this Christmas time, with your own family of five and your Church family and Community there!

James is growing well, and is smiling for us occasionally, too. So sweet!

Merry Christmas, all!
love Rachel