Christmas Magic

Finn has officially stopped believing in Santa.

He asked me, just as he was falling asleep last night, if Mike and I put the gifts under the tree or does Santa?  I did ok...gave him some lines about believing in the magic of Christmas and always keeping that alive.  I avoided saying yes or no.

I approached the subject the next day again because I don't want him to ruin it for Seamus and Saoirse.  I told him that if he did have a little doubt about "Christmas Magic" that he should not mention that to his younger siblings.  He replied, in such a serious tone, "I'm just glad that I know now because what would happen when I got married and didn't know and then my kids wouldn't have any presents!"  My sweet, sweet Finn.  

 (Please note Mike's totally brown hair....)

 Waiting to come downstairs at Grandma and Pap's.

Santa Jammies

 The Cutest of Reindeers

Soccer Star

Ellis Island

In 2nd Grade at Ogden Avenue School the students spend a month learning about the history of the immigrant experience in the United States by studying Ellis Island.  They have to choose a country that is part of their heritage, study it's history and learn about why someone might immigrate from that country to the United States around this time.

Seamus interviewed Pap and chose to study Ireland.  He had to give a speech in front of parents, grandparents and his classmates about his ride over on the boat (he threw up twice) and share a special artifact from his country of origin (he brought a hurling stick that Papa acquired while in Ireland.)  He made a poster with many interesting facts then got to lead us through Ellis Island, traveling from a medical clinic, to a money exchange, to a passport station to a train station.  He made it (phew) and was "sworn in" as a citizen at the end of the morning.

I am thankful that a.)  Grandma and Pap were able to make it in for this special day and b.) that I got a picture of Seamus before he and his friend, Andrew, drew mustaches on their faces.

Job well done, Seamus!  One of my favorite of school memories.