Lots of good things...

I fixed Olivia's into looped braids (she thought she looked like Cindy Lou, you know the one who befriended the Grinch?)!! We had a Christmas program in the nursery school, I work with children ages 3-5. There is a morning class and an afternoon class...which Olivia is in, and here she is with her sparkly star-headband that she made last week. They sang "Away in the manger" beautifully.

Being an Orthodox Christian, we follow the Julian calendar, which is 13 days after the Gregorian calendar, that most of the world follows. Today we celebrate St. Nicholas, the one who is remembered for giving to the needy. It's been a wonderful day and I'm sure it's a blessing from St. Nicholas. My little sister, Andrea (she's 23), is officially engaged. She is in Italy right now with her fiance, his parents and little sister, visiting the grandparents. They went to church last night and he proposed to her on the church steps! I can't wait until they come home and we get all the details! My girls are so excited and want to be flowergirls. Back to St. Nicholas, his remains are in Bari, Italy. He is an amazing intercessor to God for travellers, especially.
Although I celebrate Christmas with many on December 25th, we will go to our church and really celebrate the Nativity of Christ on January 7th (which is December 25th on the Julian calendar). It's really nice to focus on the real meaning, not on presents...