Christmas With The Girls

We decided to kick off the holiday season with a big ‘ole decorating party in the Sala. We were able to find an affordable imitation tree, which is something the girls have never had. As we placed the rest of the decorations, the girls’ faces continued to grow. There were smiles all around.
Christmas Eve, the girls went out with the group of volunteers that are here, and were able to walk around the main plaza showing off their new clothes. The girls were taken out by the group and each given some money, and then allowed to go shopping with the group. Tradition is to go to the plaza on Christmas Eve, and walk around showing off your new clothes –the girls looked amazing and were incredibly happy. After they were all done walking, everyone came back to POPPYS house for a midnight dinner (also a tradition). Christmas here is celebrated at midnight. After dinner, we went into the street with the girls and lit sparklers. Everyone was out of their houses lighting fireworks and enjoying themselves.
Christmas day, the girls and we administrators, all went over to where Casey’s parents were staying to open up stockings. With much help from Skip and Terry (and the kids from Great Lakes Adventist Academy), we were able to throw together a bunch of stockings (a tradition we wanted to start) and presents. Sadly, Kelly was up all night Christmas Eve throwing up (and this continued all day Christmas), and Lisa and Casey needed to take a friend to the hospital (and were there 9 hours). It was most definitely a long day, but the girls had an amazing day. We all will remember this Christmas.