Christmas 2011 Recap

Another Christmas has come and now gone, and it was another marvelous holiday. The slideshow below includes Christmas Eve, the big day itself, and then our trip to CA. What a spectacular time we all had!

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Last-Minute Snippets

With Christmas vacation in full gear, we're cramming in all the holiday traditions and activities that we can. Including the above visit to Santa, which was very last-minute. Once again, I didn't plan on visiting the big guy, and once again Danny asked when we'd be going. Fortunately, we timed the line right again (5 minutes before the jolly elf went on a one-hour break, no less) - and even managed to get Laura to sit on his lap! Sure, they all look like they're posing for a mug shot, but you can't have everything.

Leading up to vacation we had Clare's lovely composition on the season:


Danny's charming performance at the CKS Christmas mass, which the Kindergarten/Pre-1st classes lead:


And even some neighborhood caroling, which sounds like will become an annual event:


Still to come are the Lights of Life, 'Rudolph' at the Center for Puppetry Arts, dinner and a sleepover with the Francos, and then Christmas Eve and Christmas! And then California! Maybe I should get a jump start on that long winter's nap. Or at least hope that Laura does.

Two Front Teeth: Check

Think that's all she wanted?

In Her Christmas Bonnet

This is a girl who was born to wear hats. She's all decked out, ready for our outing to see The Sound of Music on stage this afternoon!

That's Comforting

Three kids, and each had/s a different way to comfort themselves.

Clare went with her index finger, a derivation of what Tim used to do:


Danny opted for his thumb, as did his mommy before him:


While Laura chooses the entire forearm. This really makes me laugh, but my mom says she used to do the same thing. It strikes me as more dramatic, which is so far in keeping with Laura's personality. At least, as a baby - Danny's not exactly deficient in the drama department.

Our Best Tree Yet

We picked a beauty this year. With our soaring ceilings, I'm always in favor of taller trees, and Tim usually scales us back to something he thinks we might actually be able to hoist ourselves. This year we managed to satisfy both criteria (all courtesy of The Home Depot, of course).



While there are plenty of milestones throughout the year that highlight the passage of time, there is something poignant about putting up our tree every year that really makes me reflect on how swiftly the years fly. It just doesn't seem that long ago that I was an eight-year-old eagerly pointing out my favorite ornaments and savoring the delights of our tree-trimming buffet. Both Clare and Danny really pulled their weight this year as far as decorating went, although Danny did take several moments to pause and read the ND board book we recently rediscovered on Laura's bookshelf. (To say he is obsessed is a big understatement.)



As far as our feast this year went, we added something that I suspect will be requested again next year: chocolate fondue for dessert. De-lish! Afterwards, Clare once again played Christmas carols for us on the piano, and then we all sat and admired our work.

Laura was fairly intrigued by the tree, which was completed after she went to bed. The next day she put her newly improved crawling skills to use by grabbing an ornament and then making a break for it across the room. She's such a cute little bandit that I really didn't do much about it. Third child!

The kids are naturally looking forward to seeing a mound of presents under the tree, but for now I am enjoying its tall splendor and the fabulous aroma, which is my favorite smell in the world. Worth every single pine needle.

Danny the Groom

It would seem that Danny's "big personality" (that phrase showed up again on Danny's latest progress report) may lead him down a theatrical path. Last week he was chosen to be the groom (a.k.a. U) in the annual, Kindergarten-wide Q & U Wedding. When I first mentioned this to him, he burst into tears, fearful that this would mean he had to kiss. Horrors! But he quickly adjusted his attitude and assumed the role with pride. And this was before he knew there would be cake!

Parents were not invited to attend the affair, but the school has a terrific photographer, so I have poached the photos from her. This really looks like such a cute event, complete with Fr. Frank presiding and a reception that included dancing "The Twist" and "YMCA." It just doesn't get much more fun than Kindergarten, does it?

I do hope that this is my last stint as mother of the groom for several years, however.

Santa Hat Season