I'm dreaming of a NICE Christmas

I remember telling Sarah that sometimes we have really crazy weeks so that when the good happens, we recognize it. We thank God for it.

There was a Christmas attitude in the boys. That is, one part naughty, but three parts nice. Less were there, due to going to "homes" for the holidays. "Homes" include Christian families for some, extended families for others, and campgrounds for the rest. All should be gone from the institute by the end of this week, and returning the first weekend in February.

We arrived with a few games planned, but with only 4 boys outside, it was hard to be competitive. We did enjoy a ring toss game led by JD, a chasing each other game made up on the spot, the makeshift Chubby Bunny game with these delicious chewy berry candies. My favorite, however, was not really a game. Sarah had a great idea of making these Santa and reindeer face mask (type things) so we could have a better excuse of taking the kids' pictures. Worked wonderfully, as you see me with my personal favorite, Nahuel. Harp strum.

Dad got to paint a picture of the nativity scene. It was one of those things that had morphed from one picture to the next, until flipped upside down and look--it's Maria, Jose and Jesus! The kids, including the one in the green shirt who refused to play any games or do anything until this moment, enjoyed adding their personal touch!

Invited to share lunch with the boys after all of our play time, we sat around a table filled with salty type Cheetos, oversized Fruit Loops, Dr. Cola and cookies. Oh, there were also some milanesa sandwiches. My mom leaned over to me, "No wonder these kids have so much energy!" Chechu and Rodrigo uno got to join us, which worked out perfectly. My friend from the States had sent some personalized miniature stockings filled with the perfect toys for growing boys--hot wheels, army men and a candy cane. "What is this thing?" they all asked me. I couldn't begin to describe to you how much their faces lit up when they received their gifts. I hope too, that they wondered why someone who doesn't even know them would want to give them presents. Someday they'll know.

My dad got to talk to a woman who was painting one of the outside walls of the institute. She was Swiss, and had been serving twice a week for about ten weeks. Finishing up on her work, she said that more important was to help the boys learn what it means to behave well. One boy in particular is, and I say it from experience, always mean and has got a pretty filthy mouth. "I just want him to have one day where he's nice," she told my dad. Apparently, after all of our fun together, today was his day. A day that she wasn't planning on coming except for crazy timing on funding for paints, weather and leaving the country soon. Good timing, God!

Chau. Onward to Puerto Madryn!!!