Jessie, Jojo, Teri, and Jeanette making Christmas cookies
The girls were giving me lots of moral support
and sampling everything...
They would help mix things, but I had to make sure that everyone "stirred" things for the same amount of time, or else there were problems.
Jojo - quality control
rolling out sugar cookies with Teri
a full day's work
we made 7 different types of cookies/candies, and passed out 40 plates of Christmas treats to friends and neighbors
Christmas Eve - The big celebration here is at midnight on the 24th. I didn't think they'd make it, but the girls stayed awake until midnight. Here, Jessie's burning sparklers. At midnight, the fireworks were incredible, the night erupting with the sound of firecrackers from every house, and the air full of smoke. Quite an experience. At midnight, hugs all around, and then everyone shares a tamale.
Jojo, enjoying the sparklers. She was singing "twinkle twinkle little star" in Spanish.
Christmas morning - opening presents.
playing with their Christmas presents - they were having a hard time sharing...
on the boat, on the way over to the restaurant for Christmas dinner
Jessie, playing with her toys in the restaurant while we served Christmas dinner - Jojo was taking a much-needed nap.
These are pictures of Jessie's first soccer game. First they had some kind of parade. Jessie's teacher is behind her, in the blue t-shirt and sunglasses.
There's my girl - totally focused on the game.
half-time huddle
after the game - waiting for the bus to go back home
This is Jessie in a typical outfit for school. She has her own style, and she loves layering. In the 90 degree heat, my little girl insists on going to school in a t-shirt, sweater, a skirt, pants, socks, and sandles. She comes home with a red face and beads of sweat all over her face, but with all of her clothes on. 
But once she gets home, all of the clothes come off! Jojo, on the other hand, still won't keep clothes on. Here they are, after cleaning up the bowls of chocolate cake for Willy's b-day. Jojo's working on her English. My favorite phrase now is, "owie over here, mom". One kiss, and she's on her way.
