Author: eaumaison (Page 66 of 207)

I was washing up in the kitchen, dancing to some tunes, and it dawned on me that I was happy.  Perfectly happy and content.  Whilst shaking my booty and scrubbing a pot I thought about why that is.

• My family is loving and adorable and fun
• My home is safe and big and clean and pretty
• I get to stay home with my kids AND keep working
• I get to teach fun high schoolers to dance
• Naps and bedtimes are mostly reliable
• Exercise and diet are back on after a holiday break; my body is thanking me for it
• I’m playing with clothes and hair and make-up more than I used to and it makes me smile when I look in the mirror
• Ben and I are going out on dates regularly
• Ben and I get alone time together every night
• We are going on a getaway trip to NYC; the planning is exciting

 And lots of other small things that add up to little smiles: fresh flowers in the home, Friday Jimmy John lunches, new furniture in the living room, a new phone on the way, comfy slippers and robe, playing with FitBit, I’m reading a good fantasy book (Mistborn), and on and on and on.

Sometimes I only write when things are wrong or crazy.  This is just to say that things are really really right. 

Today is unseasonably warm. Sam overslept, so his morning nap wouldn’t fit during preschool hours.  I decided to walk to school instead of driving to get Jack.  

Sam is an adventurous and playful eater.  I predicted that he will figure out how to blow bubbles in his milk and do all the other naughty things that kids do (that Jack never did) and then teach Jack how.

The VERY next day:

“This is the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!”
-Jack, repeatedly

Christmas Eve.  Pizza dinner, Brian joined us.  We watched the Muppet Christmas Carol while I did some last minute embroidery to label our $1.00 felt stockings. 

The stockings are hung, milk and cookies in place.

Jack made this Santa over Thanksgiving break and told the Mall Santa that he was going to give it as a gift.  I helped him write a note so Santa would know to take it with him.  It reads “SANTA THIS CRAFT SANTA.” Of course the jolly elf left a thank you note with his empty plate in the morning.  

Christmas morning!  Sam woke at 6:30 per usual.  Jack was snoozing but quickly woke when we all went in his room.  The boys took a few seconds to figure out there piles, then dove in. 

Ben and Jack both received bows and arrows for Christmas. 

Sam tuckered out around 9 AM.  We put him down for a nap and finished opening all the presents.  Everyone was exceedingly generous this year.  Jack started to get frustrated with opening because he wanted to play each thing right away!

Ben and I cleaned and we all noshed on sweets and breads and fruit.  Snow started falling midday.  By the time Amanda, Mom, and Dad made it over the mountains we had heavy snowfall.  I’m glad they made it safely and had time to visit!  Of course they had gorgeous handmade projects to share. 

A nativity puzzle made by Mom.

A personalized family peek-a-boo book for Sam from Amanda.

I made a shawl for Amanda, she made me a lovely tote. 

Sam and Jack both chugged their egg nog.

We got to see them again this morning for brunch before they scooted off to their flight to NYC.  Jack FINALLY got to make snow angels in the yard. 

What a wonderful Christmas!

Today was our last lesson with the 8-year-olds we teach in church Primary class.  We almost never bring treats so today’s cupcakes were extra special.  I brought in a sample Rudolph that they could copy . . . “or whatever.”  They went with “whatever.”  🙂