Christmas Morning

This year marked the beginning of a change in Christmases for us.  For one--and do not underestimate the significance of this shift--the teenager and prototeen in the house slept in until 7:45, allowing Mary and me at least an extra 90 minutes of sleep as compared with previous years.

Second, the pile of presents under the tree was a bit smaller than before.  This cuts two ways.  It's nice that there's no longer any temptation to have to swallow the tree in gifts, to make such a splash on Christmas morning.  On the other hand, the things they want now (Vera Bradley, anyone?) are smaller and more expensive than some previous years' requests.

Third, Grandma had a smaller role than in her previous times with us.  With her inability to climb stairs well, we did not have Mom sleep over with us Christmas Eve (well, that, and the fact that the guest room is still wrapping-and-shipping-central and not suitable for habitat).  Instead, after the initial flurry of opening stockings and Santa gifts and presents from others, I went to pick up Mom around 10:30 and brought her back to the house, and we did all the presents from and to her at that time.

I don't know what next year's Christmas will bring (although there's some talk of a Christmastime Disney Cruise...), or what other changes next year will feature.  I only know I felt a change in the Christmas winds this year.

Click on the link at right or here to see pictures from the morning.  And Merry Christmas one and all!

Farewell 2011

As 2011 closes, we have to share the annual JibJab rememberance of the year gone by.  I love these guys!

Sarah: Performing Girl

The fifth grade chorus concert at Silverbrook Elementary was this week, and Sarah and several of her friends were taking part in chorus this year.  They sang three songs, then the sixth graders sang three, then the combined choruses finished with two songs, including "Seasons of Love" from Rent.  In the video, she's the girl with the glasses standing next to her BFF Giselle, and you can tell they put a lot of effort into it.

By means of remembering the year, also see Sarah and Giselle in the countywide SACC dance recital/contest from this past winter.  Do we have a budding stage presence among us?