Vocal Christmas Cheer

In thinking about ways to stay sane as mothers over Christmas break, my girlfriend and I decided to bring our 5 darling children to an assisted living center to spread some holiday cheer to the folks living there. We've talked about doing this for months and this seemed the appropriate time to take the plunge. The kids crafted ribbon trees, purchased candy canes and practiced their very favorite Christmas songs before we loaded into the mini van.

Despite the chaos of making this all happen, once we were there the entire experience was dreamy. The children behaved like little angels, they interacted with and sometimes stared at the residents in sweet and gentle ways and sang and played their instruments with innocent passion only little people could exhibit. The staff slowly wheeled people in, some asleep, some alert, to witness our children's Christmas blessing.  Even the sleepers could be seen smiling.  Some lips subtly moved with the lyrics and some belted out with joy.  The residents enjoyed our kids in ways only 80, 90 and 100 year old people could.  Our most senior spectator quietly told the little girls that she was 102 years young, to which they looked at her in awe, not quite sure what that really means.  Dara and I knew what the meant.  We were witnessing a miracle woman of sorts.  

We tried leaving a couple of times, only to be stopped in the hallways for mini concerts.  Children are a commodity in places like this.  They offer a priceless light.  We plan to make this a regular occurrence.  For all of our sake. 

Holiday Happs

December doesn't often leave much breathing room for blogging, but I'm sitting in my office nook with zero distractions.  Dude is at Tai Kwondo camp (a gift during the 2nd long week of Christmas vaca) and Tim and Squirt are hitting the slopes in Winter Park.  Dude and I came down from our cabin get away a day early so he could karate chop his way through the remainder of the week, which leaves me with Time.To.Myself.

We've had an unusually low key December.  Below is a photo summary of what we did to bring in the birth of sweet little baby Jesus.

We adorned the new house with all things decorative, which was almost like moving in all over again for me.  Kinda loved it.  And kinda bought a bunch of irresistible Christmasy decor items that were screaming at me. The tree was decorated in stages as well all cycled through the flu.  That was super fun.

Our new hood organizes a family friendly Christmas party every year and we were pumped to check it out. A Santa(ish) character is present, carolers sing, food is served, coloring is offered for the littles so the adults can divulge and commiserate, and the night closes out with Clydesdale horses pulling a white wagon around the neighborhood streets.  We were impressed.

My parents arrived mid December for a week.  I organized my "Sometimes Annual" Cookie Exchange for the night after they arrived, allowing her to participate.  I adore the group of women who gathered this year.  Old friends, oldish friends, newer friends and brand spankin new friends joined in the festivities.  It's always nostalgic for me to see this conglomeration of women who I love come together under one roof.

We did a family Christmas day with Nana and Papa and loved watching the kids squeal for joy at the treasures Nana finds each and every year.  They know these kids of ours quite well and cater to their inner most passions and desires (like baby dolls, space, chap stick and magic).

The following day Tim and I boarded a plane for 4 days in Arizona.  He had work meetings and his lovely boss graciously invited me to join him for relaxation and unlimited food.  I thought about it for 2.6 seconds and we booked my flight.  Luckily Nana and Papa agreed to come watch the monkeys because I was going regardless of that outcome.  We were blessed to stay at the Four Seasons, which is a ridiculous, rare treat. We took naps, hiked, partook in many a happy hour, took baths, read by the fireplace, sat in the hot tub, got my nails done, ate delish meals with his co-workers, slept in and slept uninterrupted....Merry Christmas to us.  Best gift ever.  THANK YOU Merial and Mom and Dad.    

 Nana Nancy found a perfect home for the Fancy Nancy doll she's been storing.  It was a Fancy Christmas indeed.  

Her reaction to this little treasure was a treasure in and of itself. 

This was Dude, attempting to pull a rabbit from his new magic hat.  I have to admit that he was quite disappointed and surprised in the lack of rabbit result.