christmas around the world

tonight in our christmas around the world we celebrated christmas in yugoslavia (even though it's not a country anymore). their tradition is that if mary & joseph came to your house for mary to have Jesus how would you make them feel welcome. we decorated a bed for Jesus. we took a basket and let each person bring something for Jesus that he would like. maggie donated a blanket, livy brought her baby doll, oscar brought his monkey, charlie brought his indian blanket, ali brought her build-a-bear robe, i brought a baby bottle and daddy brought the children's songbook. i think Jesus should be set. you know in case they come.

 we also visited the tree downtown at the grove to get some cards for the WCA (women's and children's alliance) . all the kids got to look through them all and pick out what they wanted to buy. we decided as a family, this year we would spend less on ourselves and buy a present for someone who really needs help. maggie picked diapers, ali picked a barbie, livy picked barbie clothes, oscar picked a tool set, charlie picked action heros and mommy & daddy picked to get them a gift card to any grocery store. it was such a good experience to take the kids their for them to choose. we are excited to buy the presents together and to deliver them too. if you would like to participate there are still lots and lots of tags on the trees down at the centre on the grove. big gifts and little gifts. you have to turn in the unwrapped gifts to the WCA or a Zion's bank by december 16th. so if you really want to do it, don't wait too long.

 yesterday we had dive class and didn't get to celebrate so we did 2 tonight. we also talked about how they celebrate christmas in italy. ryan's grandma is 100% italian and is from gorizia, italy. here is the story from this website. (this is where we got all the info from and decided which countries to celebrate) 

In Italy the children wait until Epiphany, January 6, for their presents. According to tradition, the presents are delivered by a kind ugly witch called Befana on a broomstick. It was said that she was told by the three kings that the baby Jesus was born, she was busy and delayed visiting the baby.
She missed the Star lost her way and has been flying around ever since, leaving presents at every house with children in case he is there. She slides down chimneys, and fills stockings and shoes with good things for good children and it is said leaves coal for children who are not so good.

sounds a little creepy to me. we talked about it and then daddy gave us a biscotti with hot chocolate.

 i am thinking of submitting this photo to Starbucks for an ad for them

 i needed to get a picture of all of my little munchkins with our beautiful tree.