Holiday Highlights

Well, the holidays in this house really do begin with my birthday on December 19th. This year it was on a Wednesday and was the day my cold settled in. After a visit to Ikea for Nagy Papa's Christmas present, we came home and ordered grinders since I didn't have the energy for the restaurant we had planned on. I did manage to find some energy to play with my new ipod though.

Thursday was a morning of rest, for me at least, and the afternoon found me accompanying E to a birthday party for a boy on his basketball team. I don't remember if I blogged about it already, but he ended up on a basketball team with a boy who he had spent a lot of time playing with on the playground during R's soccer practices last season. The boy likes E as much as E likes him, and invited him to his birthday party when the ended up on the same team for basketball. E had a fun time at the party. He was a little intimidated at first, since all the other kids go to school together, but settled in just fine, although he did remain quite reserved, even rolling his eyes at a boy who was being as silly as he usually is. It was pretty funny.

That night I ended up having to miss the holiday party for my womyn's circle. I was very bummed, but needed the rest.

The next day we spent finishing up a few Christmas presents (the boys make their own), and watching more TV than we should have. The Waltons have brought me great comfort during this illness. Friday night B and I missed another holiday party; one given by friends "for adults only and involving copious amounts of alcohol". Argh.

Mom and Deb arrived on Saturday morning. Debbie was like a whirlwind of baking all day; I had the ingredients for six cookie recipes which I never had the energy to get to, and she gladly took over.
Dinner that night was at Hometown Buffet. We thought they might enjoy it since the place definitely has "something for everyone". We all had an enjoyable dinner and were glad we went early before the rush.

The rest of the weekend is kind of a blur for me. The boys had a fabulous time though being with Grandma and Aunt Debbie. Grandma brought these to decorate:
and E was kind enough to do mine. They also made more cookies with Aunt Debbie, even going to the store to buy more ingredients for ones I hadn't planned on. R was very proud of the Peppermint Bark he made totally by himself. They also did some shopping with Grandma along the way. They played games together; Rummikub before Christmas and Waterworks afterwards (Santa brought it). Grandma also read E The Winter Solstice book I had bought to read on the Winter Solstice. And Grandma spent some time making minor adjustments on the fabulous pajamas she had made us for Christmas:
Christmas morning was really wonderful, as usual. The boys got way too much from Santa and enjoyed it all. The adults all had a relaxing and enjoyable time too.

Unfortunately though, we were so relaxed that we didn't get out of the door until later than we should have, and arrived at B's brother Eric's in New York about an hour late. He was great about it though, and there was still plenty of food (brunch). Despite the fact that I could barely breathe, I had a really nice time, and was so glad to see Eric make my mom and sister feel so welcome. It's been a long time since my in-laws and mom have spent time together and everyone seemed to enjoy it. Although I had my camera with me, I unfortunately did not take it out. Not many photos this year at all, I'm afraid.

Aunt Debbie was disappointed that White Castles was closed, but we did find a pizza place to get a New York pizza before heading home. Once here, we ate some leftover pot roast and sat around and relaxed. (I had pretty much shoved a pot roast at my mother the night before saying "here, make this".)

The boys got to spend some time with Aunt Debbie, showing her around Webkinz World, and explaining how to get things done with her new pig, which they had gotten her. Both of them are really looking forward to spending time with her online.

It was sad watching Aunt Debbie and Grandma go on Wednesday afternoon. For the boys it had been a wonderful Christmas, and for me it meant that I wouldn't get the opportunity to be the hostess I always enjoy being. Oh well.

Other than picking up Nagy Papa from the train station that night, and taking him to an appointment the next morning (his car needs a water pump) I've pretty much spent the last few days in my pajamas sleeping or watching TV. Although today we did manage a few very local errands.

This will always be "The Christmas that mom was sick". Oh well. You know, so many times when our children get sick, we wish we could be sick instead of them. And I've told myself a hundred times this week "better me than them". I really meant it too. But enough is enough! If I'm not feeling better by Monday I'm going to the doctor. This is crazy.

Wordless Wednesday

"A New Energy Expender"

Learn more about Wordless Wednesday, and find the blogroll of others who are participating here.

Merry Christmas

Well I've been sick for six days now; horrible, horrible, cold. Each night I go to bed hoping I'll wake up better, get only four or five hours of sleep because I can't breathe or my nose is running, and wake up with an all-new symptom to add to the collection. And Christmas is my favorite holiday.

I've managed to enjoy much of it though, and certainly the boys are in heaven, so I will blog about it all before it floats away from my already foggy brain. Tomorrow is Wordless Wednesday, but Thursday I will sit down and try to write it all out. I will enlist the help of the boys, since they have memories of the last few days with Grandma and Aunt Debbie, and without me. So we'll try to put together the full story of our holidays this year and post it by Friday.

I'm very bummed about being too tired to write since I sent out my blog address on my Christmas cards this year, and can see by my counter that more people are checking in, and this is not exactly the best introduction to my daily blog. But what can you do? Hang in there, check out the archives, and hopefully you'll find it worth the return trip.

I'm so sick

I woke up on my birthday (Wednesday) with a horrible cold, which actually might be the flu, but either way four days later I still feel awful. I'll post something tomorrow, hopefully, or honestly, just whenever I feel like it.

Woe is me :-(

Wordless Wednesday

"Keeping Still"


Loving the idea of Wordless Wednesday. Learn more about it, and find others who are participating here.

Here is the blogroll for Wordless Wendesday (the list of blogs which participate)

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

A friend called yesterday morning and asked if we were available that evening for a trip up to Old Sturbridge Village. They were having a Christmas in Candlelight event and I was so glad we could join them. So after the boys spent a full day of fun out with old friends, we picked up B early at work and stayed patient through a couple of setbacks which put us in at 1/2 hour late, and were happy to meet up with our friends in Massachusetts!

We got to see some chestnuts roasting on an open fire in the very first building we went into. We got to taste them too - yum! Seems that the chestnuts R found may not be edible, so we got some tips on how to tell, and will check them out again next year. (Gotta love the how the connections keep happening!)

In no particular order, we had an opportunity to make some crafts, which we plan to hang on the Christmas tree in hopes that Santa will fill them up with treats. And we enjoyed some authentic mulled cider, which was better than the cider and cinnamon sticks we enjoy heated up at home.

We enjoyed a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh, which was so much smoother than a typical carriage ride (remember to click on the photos to enlarge them).






A wonderful bonfire warmed up our butts quite nicely, as did the numerous cups of tea, hot chocolate and cider which the general store provided free to members.

We also had the opportunity to visit with Santa, although E decided he would wait to visit the "helper" he knows and is comfortable with at the hardware store today. Father Christmas was also there, but I encouraged the boys to join me outside when he started talking about the history of Santa Claus; no need to fool around with the very firm belief still existing here.




B let himself be coaxed into doing some Virginia Reel dancing, while our friend L jumped right up to join in. The rest of us relaxed and watched:

We came home with a store bought Christmas ornament for our tree, and free ones which they handed out at the tinsmith which are just as beautiful. We had a really "wonderful" evening. I'm so very glad we went. And this definitely convinced me that we need to renew our OSV membership; I had been ambivalent about it till now.

The absolute only complaint about the entire evening is that this photo came out the way it did:







argh.

Craft night in Maine

Grandma hosts two craft nights per year; one for all the girl cousins, who have been doing it for many years now, and for the past two years, one for the boys who were born in 1997 (and E, even though he's younger, because "he's my grandson"). So we headed up to Maine on Saturday after both boys' basketball was done, and arrived near bedtime.

Sunday morning found us at a diner having breakfast with E's namesake, and Aunt Debbie.
Sunday afternoon was filled with crafts.
Unfortunately, like last year, one of the cousins couldn't make it. Different cousin at least. Everyone had a wonderful time anyway, and Grandma found out that her thought that no one was really into it, was far off the mark.

My sister and I did some shopping and had an enjoyable lunch at Applebees during the crafts, since it's strictly a drop-off party. We arrived back early enough to ensure that we got a photo of all the attendees.




While in Maine, we also enjoyed the 12 inches of snow which had fallen before we arrived. The boys love going down the steps along side the house, down into Grandma's backyard. It's a good hill and the bumpiness is enjoyable; at least that's what I hear.











They also worked hard to make a tunnel in the plowed snow, and were very proud to get it done before we had to come home.

Grandma ventured down into her backyard to explain to the boys how her new pier is going to look when it's done.
We enjoyed some shopping with Grandma on Monday, and then when Aunt Debbie got out of work at four, a movie. We went to Smitty's, where dinner is served before the movie, and enjoyed some pizza, chicken nuggets, chicken quesadillas, and french fries before watching Enchanted. Heads up to parents of little ones, the ending of this movie is scary. It was very contradictory to the tone of the rest of the movie, and the previews gave no indication that it would end this way, so if you have kids who are sensitive to that sort of thing, beware.
We enjoyed it though, although it wasn't as funny as the boys had hoped. "They took all the funniest parts and showed them in the advertisement." A good lesson in marketing.

We also enjoyed some fun with my nephew Mikey. The boys had a blast playing with their little cousin, and E loved when Mikey wore E's Sponge Bob slippers as long as he did. What a cutie. I'm so glad he enjoyed being with the boys as much as they enjoyed him.
His dad, my brother, had gastric bypass surgery while we were there. I got to see him in the hospital, and other than a grouchiness which demonstrates the disappointment that his idea that the whole thing was going to be a walk in the park was wrong, he is doing fine. Unfortunately though, bringing him his belongings meant that we got a late start home, and missed R's soccer practice. Not ones to waste an opportunity, we stopped into the West Farms Mall, and got some Christmas shopping done for B, and a quick heely around both floors of the entire mall, before continuing home.

I've learned the beauty of listening to audio books while driving to Maine alone. I can listen to whatever I want since the boys watch the DVD player, and the three and a half hour drive zips right by. I still have two discs to finish though! Ender's Game has been great so far. I will probably pick up the next one (it's a trilogy) in book form.

B was making hamburgers when we arrived home, so when they were done we all sat and visited and recounted our weekend. We all had a really enjoyable time.

What is it?

Back in September, R brought this home from a morning walk with Nagy Papa. We considered cutting it open to see what was inside, but it looked so cool, we thought we'd just enjoy its present state another day. It was very prickly, and actually hurt to hold. I don't remember how he got it home.

Well, by the time Dad got home that evening it looked like this!

Needless to say, we decided not to cut it open it all. Glad we did, because the next day it looked like this:
Well, imagine our surprise to find what was inside! This city girl had no idea what a chestnut looks like when it falls from a tree. And I must admit it was so much more fun just watching it day by day, instead of looking it up to find out what it was.
The pleasure we received from checking on it and watching it bloom right before our eyes was so enjoyable.

And just as enjoyable was seeing this a couple of weeks later at the Durham Fair.

It's amazing how connections happen if we just pay attention and recognize them. R was so excited to see these at the fair and know what they were. And he was also very happy to see they won a blue ribbon.

Of course, we couldn't resist touching them and enjoying that familiar prickly feeling too.