So This Is Christmas

So Christmas has come and gone for another year.  I think my dislike grows each year.  My children are still bright lights in the whole ugly holiday. 

Bill and I put up the tree this year while they were at school and left all the ornaments - which are mostly theirs that have been given to them through the years.  They had the best time getting them all out and putting them up.  Jack, is like my Mother and spends time with each ornament talking about where he got it and who gave it to him.  Sal just likes to open them and then hands them to someone to put on the tree.  :-)

The advent calendar was, as usual, the bane of my existence in December.  We do it first thing in the morning - this is the way it started and God forbid you change "tradition".  :-)  So, this brings them from a sound sleep at the dawn of day - like some internal clock.  Then I am at the mercy of whatever evil plan my Mother has concocted.  This year's booty went from Push-Pops to guns that shot foam rubber discs.  Because nothing says Peace On Earth like a disc to the head.  There was also a puzzle with the smallest pieces I've ever seen and when putting it together the boy wondered (out loud) if Grandma had purposely left out a piece because there was one missing that just couldn't be found. (it was later found - under the very chair the boy was sitting in)

Santa was a hit as usual.  We tracked him on NORAD .  On Christmas Eve (day) we went to Dick and Laurena's and saw that Santa was almost at Dave's house.  Dave lives in Singapore now, and it was fun having someone "over there" the kids knew that showed how Santa does it all. 

Had a GREAT time at Uncle Dick's.  They now have 3 boxers.  Peyton, Stewart and now Addison - who, is deaf - and all white - like albino white.  Then we added Zoe - Bob's girlfriend's dog to the mix - she's a Pomeranian.  They are SO funny to watch.  I wonder, though if they've had Addison checked - I mean - Mabel ACTS likes she's deaf too.  :-)

The two weeks off were kind of hard on Sal - the lack of set schedule is hard for her and she becomes anxious.  Then she talks and talks and asks the same questions over and over and over, it's a vicious circle.