Vacation is here!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

We made it to vacation time. I am relearning how to relax, and the kids are enjoying the dry weather by playing outside. Paul gets to work until midday on Christmas Eve. We have had little time for making goodies, but we did manage to make some chocolate covered pretzels. Yum! Yes that is chocolate on their faces.

Here what our tree used to look like. It is has been thoroughly attacked by Ella the cat now. All the decorations have been knocked off. The lights are still on, but that is only because they are wrapped around the tree.

Eliza went wild decorating. She did the front and back side of her bedroom door, cut a piece of hedge from our neighbor's yard, placed it in her room for a Christmas tree and decorated it, and created a faux fireplace with several stockings.

School and Christmas

I was at school 4 out of 5 days this week, and I didn't see any work being done. I did watch a bunch of kids eat a lot of sugar though. Oh, I also went to see the Nutcracker Ballet with Sarah's class. Although the ballet was somewhat less than professional, it was fun to hear the laughter, and the oo's and ah's of the hundreds of children in the auditorium. Here are some pictures. 

By the way, I am happy to share that despite my anxiety about the kids being out of school for two weeks as well as Paul being off of work for two weeks (I will explain that later), I had a pleasant afternoon of cleaning in solitude. The kids were let out at noon today, and Paul was already home. I got to go into my office and clean undisturbed while Paul coerced the children to clean up the rest of house. It was so relaxing (for me). 

Christmas decorating

The week after Thanksgiving we got out the Christmas decorations. Eliza made her own tree and decorated it. Leah was adorable as she set out the nativity. She silently and very thoughtfully arranged the pieces.

Busy, busy, busy . . .

I've been busy like all of you, but I don't want another day to go by without say hi. 

So, Hi!

Oh, and Merry Christmas!

By the way, last night Paul and I tested the children's Christmas present. I like it, but I'm sore and my pride is seriously hurt. It told me my fitness age is 72. I know, go ahead and laugh. In my defense, it was really late, I was already sore, it was my first time playing the game, and my tendonitis was hurting me. I know, I can hear you all saying, "But 72?" So, what was your first fitness age?