I make it sound like we have tons of gifts. We really don't. I'm just really slow and meticulous about wrapping.
Today #4 taught me how to make little yarn hats using a strip of toilet paper tube. Fun! She learned at school. She's made several now and even has her sister (#3) making them now as well. She's making them as gifts for Christmas. She made a black and red one for Tony, and she's made a purple and yellow one for Grandma. She's in the middle of making one in blue and yellow for me. I love it!
Another Secret Santa seed package came today. Moon and Stars watermelon, Cuor Di Bue tomato, and Cal Wonder 300 TMR seeds. The latter two are new varieties to our collection. The kids are more excited about the Moon & Stars watermelon seeds though. I admit it's an interesting variety. I've tried it a few times in the past, but the only time the seeds sprouted was the year the giant pumpkin vine took over the entire yard and pretty much strangled everything else in the garden... including our Moon & Stars watermelon plant. We will just have to try again. I'd love to actually get to taste one.
I can officially confirm that Amos can hear. He responds to our voices and will turn to face the source of things he hears. That's one small victory for him.
As of today the kittens are 12 and 16 days old. I'm really hoping for a miracle that they all survive, but we're closing in on that window (20-25 days old) where we've lost almost all of our kittens. Every morning I go in with the slightest anxiety hoping all is well. I check them before bed too. So far they all appear healthy. The last litter looked great too, but they all died within 48 hours of first looking a little lethargic. I worry. Especially for Amos. If (or more likely when) he dies, I'm going to be heartbroken. He will be two weeks old on Christmas day, and three weeks old on New Year's day.