Jingles' Visit this year

Foster wrote Jingles an important letter on November 30, letting him know that we were now living in Bosnia. Luckily using his Christmas magic Jingles flew in super speed and got here in time, He did his usual jokes this time and had fun making pancakes in all sorts of Christmas shapes. Kai even got into the fun helping to find him in the morning.

Foster was pretty good most of the time, but Jingles did have to stay in the Northpole one night when Foster was having a lot of trouble following directions. And just like that on Christmas Eve, he took and sent a photo of Santa and emailed it to us, and left Kai and Foster some new Christmas stories and he hitched a ride back with the Big Man himself, only to resurface next year. 

In his flying jacket and goggles for the journey. 

We wish you a merry Christmas from Banja Luka

Foster was so excited for Christmas morning.  We had been visited by our Elf on the Shelf Jingles on December 1st and counted down the days until the BIG DAY!! On Christmas Eve he watched movies and could hardly sleep.  He hadn't asked for anything specific, but one night he was talking about airplanes and he started asking me the names of other countries. I said France and he responded, "Oh yes, I need a Croatia, Bosnian, American and French airplane." Luckily, he was happy with the Lego airplane that he got. 

Kai got a puppet theater, which he didn't know what to do with, except use it as a backdrop for their usual antics. But he really liked the accompanying puppets, so hoping that there will be some theater shows in our future. And Santa left the boys a sled. We keep hoping for some snow to try it out.

We had some of our friends over on Christmas day and the kids decorated gingerbread men and women.  The Serbs in Banja Luka won't celebrate Christmas for a few more weeks because they are on the Orthodox calendar, so it was a normal day in the city. On the 26th we finally started to see Christmas trees being sold around town. Luckily for Foster this means that the winter market in Banja Luka is open for a few more weeks. Out of all of the things we've done this holiday season, the bumper car ride at the market has impressed him the most.

A picture of Santa in front of our tree--gotta love the new fangled technology to help kids believe.

Random assortment of chocolate and food for Santa and the reindeers.

Foster didn't even want to eat breakfast. He wanted to stare at his new plane.  He finally agreed he would come to the table if we would put the box there and of course his side kick had to be there too.

We're ready for some snow!

Foster in his new Chef's costume making cookies.

Predeparture Trip to Zagreb and Hanging out with Grandma and GrandpaFoster

We spent a day in Zagreb before Grandma and Grandpa left. We got to see why Zagreb had been given a prize for Best Christmas Markets. The whole city was lit up and packed with people and markets and a gorgeous ice skating rink. We also had a visit with St. Nick--Foster got a scooter and Kai-- a dancing dog that plays the popular Croatian signer Severina. Foster was speechless and Kai could only scream.  A nice start to the holidays. We were so excited to have Grandma and Grandpa here. We squeezed in as many hugs and kisses and laughs as possible.

Foster's first cotton candy--he couldn't even finish saying it was "too swet," something I've never heard from this little sweeth tooth before.

Kai thinks his new pal is real.

Hands off my toy little lady, pushing another little girl off.