Little Elf

Yesterday we got to participate in a Christmas service project. We all went (despite the fact that it was in the afternoon- nap time) with some other friends to a school for migrant children. They sang and performed for us and we sang Christmas carols (led by Chris and his mandolin) for them. Then we split into small groups and got to visit a classroom. We went to the sixth grade. Well, technically Chris and I Austin went (I will explain where I was in a minute). Austin has had an "opposing streak" lately...generally opposing most things we want him to do (especially praying before bed, but also when we encourage him to help us, Bennett, others etc) and never loves being in the spotlight of lots of Chinese people. HOWEVER, he did great! He actually distributed each gift to each child in the classroom and talked to them a little bit. Chris shared a little bit about Christmas with the kids.

Austin even sat on this little girl's lap after passing out the gifts.

Here he was when we first got there...a little unsure still about what was going on.

Afterward, Austin said he had a good time and liked helping the kids. Then today he had his little tool set out playing and he told me "Mommy I am making houses for the kids who don't have any". So cute. Sometimes I think he just doesn't get a lot of things we try to teach him or he acts opposed, but then something like that comes out of his mouth and I think- maybe he is getting some of it. (then he also said he would make windows out of flour and butter...his imagination was rather vivid).

Bennett on the other hand was sort of a mess. He took a 3 hour nap in the morning, so I thought he was good to go for the afternoon. But as soon as we got there, he started crying and cried pretty much the whole time. I held him and he acted like he wanted to get down and then I put him down and he cried harder. He was totally not interested in the music and dancing and people smiling at him- not really like him. The ride home was the worst...we were stuck in standstill traffic for quite some time and he kept crying and crying. My stress level was so high by the time we got close to home and Chris and I were both pretty convinced he was getting sick ( though he had no symptoms). We walked in the door, I took Bennett's shoes off and...he walked over to toy, started playing and was totally happy! And he was happy the rest of the night. Chris and I were both relieved he wasn't sick and wondering...what are we in for with Bennett if he could be that upset he wasn't doing what he wanted to for that long (almost 4 hours total). He is usually a happy little camper, but he knows what he wants and if he doesn't get it lately, he can get really mad. We will see what we are in for in the coming year or two!