Christmas Eve Day

We took Guinness on a morning walk to the beach where we had a science lesson. We saw a dead fish. Kevin already knew the various parts of a fish and how they stay right-side up. He couldn't remember the name of the back until I said "dorsal" and he repeated "dorsal fin." We also saw two birds -- one fully intact looking like it was sleeping. Kevin questioned whether it really was dead. The second one was only a skeleton with some white feathers. Likely a seagull. The bone wing span was quite wide, seemingly larger than a seagull, but the feathers had to be a seagull's.

If only this ship had come along a half hour earlier, before we were almost back to the car, so Kevin could have seen it go through the canal to the bay.

We attended the family Christmas Eve service at St. Paul's Cathedral with Walsh relatives. It was a warm, wonderful Happy Birthday Baby Jesus experience. The children were called forward for a special message.

You can see Kevin's little 3 year old second cousin, Georgia, peeking out to the right of the leader, between the leader and the wall of poinsettias.

Kevin is in the center as the chldren return to their seats.

After church, we went to our nephew's home for dinner with some of the Walsh clan. Two of Kevin's second cousins were there. It is funny to watch Kevin play with kids as he tries to be the manager. Well, these cousins are as headstrong Walshes as Kevin is himself! So there were unhappy times because one would not do what the other wanted that kid to do.


Kevin was heading towards a meltdown which seems to be happening, in my observation, when he is playing wildly -- thus over-stimulated. Georgia's mother, who is an early childhood educator, agrees, but insists it is normal.

Kevin was intrigued with this Bing Crosby puppet which sings a variety of Christmas songs. He was also fascinated by it four years ago on Christmas Eve at this nephew's home. The next day, Kevin received a singing Greg doll (from the Wiggles), but the jaws did not move, so he didn't like it! :-0 He watched it very sadly and tried to make the mouth move, then threw it on the floor. LOL