Bethlehem

Evan is back at school! Life is slowly returning to normal, and I'm ready for a lot more holly jolly. Issa took care of our back window this week:
It's Bethlehem. Can't you tell? Here is the city itself:

And the city is surrounded with Christmas trees, snowflakes, and angels:

(I don't know why the angel has so many polka dots. Sometimes it's better not to ask.) She did everything completely on her own--even the hanging. She was quite pleased with herself when it was finished.

Every Christmas brings something new with the kids. It's a whole new kind of Christmas. This year, Issa is in love with the music and the details of the music. She loves "Away in a Manger" and "The Friendly Beasts" most, but she asks me to sing all the carols. What I have found amusing is her attention to the details. While she was hanging her Bethlehem, I was dumbfounded when she asked, "How can Bethlehem be still if the cattle are lowing?" Hello "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Away in a Manger" mash-up. That is one smart little angel.