December !

My son has made some remarks about the need for me to update. This is true but my problem has been -- WHEN? ! During December there was work, homeschooling, Friday night teen class, finishing fulfilling the Christmas list either by shop or make, we also attended a production of Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol" (2 hours away), "The Nutcracker" (1 hour), caroling, decorating, baking 10 different types of cookies for gifts, recording a CD of the girls, attending a Christmas Card contest awards night (Annie this year) and preparing for a whirlwind week of company/family not to mention the regular housework, music lessons, etc.... So WHEN, wonderful son did I have time?
We did have a wonderful month though making special time recognizing our Savior's birth. Our church had a 'lessons and carols' service Christmas eve that was beautiful.
The Saturday before arrived with Mike's sisters picking up Bobby and Sarah at the airport and descending here. From that point on things got a little crazy. It was a delightful weekend with all here and then the rest of the week with Bob and Sarah.
We celebrated Christmas with C&L on Sunday, first by all of us attending morning church together and then with our tree in the afternoon and started a new tradition of homemade gifts. It was fun to see what everyone came up with. Sarah is very gifted in beading/jewelry making and later that week found us checking out sales on bead supplies which in turn became an addiction for the girls especially! Melissa made fleece blankets and framed poems. Cookies, candles, snack-mix, firestarters, and personalized boxes were all present too. Bobby showed off some of his carpentry skills by making Mike a frame. I think he had to do something 'carpentry' to rationalize his recent shopping trip to the tool outlet sale!
Monday found C&L traveling home and the rest of us celebrating again. Mel had to work in the morning so we got a late start but I was very pleased to see everyone just wanting to be together and interacting rather than being impatient for the material part of the day.
Annie had saved wrapping paper tubes and other weapons of "Bobby destruction" and fencing became the new sport! I think the girls gave him a run for his money this year, they've grown up quite a bit.
Bobby had made a comment to me recently about not being able to make me a Grandma until he had a drawer full of Red Sox and Patriots onesies so I HAD to start that collection. Mike warned me not to go to extremes or to put pressure on them. Then HE bought them a homemade wooden firetruck!!!!!!! That's not only saying "baby" but "Boy" too!
We had lots of chuckles throughout the week. I kept busy cooking, cleaning, harrassing, making jerky etc while they were all here. I didn't want it to end but did need a rest!
We had a slippery trip to Portland to meet some friends there who were going to transport Bob&Sarah from there to Boston to the airport. It was nice to see them also if only for a very short lunch.
I thought January would quiet down but here it is the 15th and we've already been to another dramatic production, have a field trip planned, Annie had a brace/bracket break and I have to head to Portland this week to fix it and.... and.... and......
I NEED A VACATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Taking time out to watch the Patriots play last night was NOT relaxing! I hate games like that, it's not good for my stress level! I was glad they won until I realized that next week will probably be a repeat performance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!