Christmas Memories

When a mother of nine is faced with the prospect of traveling 2,000 miles to celebrate Christmas with her in-laws, she either embraces it or heads for her bed, going fetal under the covers.

So, there need to be Christmas outfits.  Just SOME appropriate outfit, definitely WITHOUT all of the trapesings and trappings.  And then enough clothes, just any old clothes, to get through with a wash machine available for use.

There will have to be presents, because some of these kiddos, four of them, are ten-and-under, and they need something to surprise them on Christmas morning (we decided).

The rest is provided by the loving relatives who await us!  Gramz scored big with a giant-sized Jenga game.

We watched movies, hung out, played pool, and ate out a ton.

Gramz pulled out her old nativity set that my big kids remembered from their early childhood, when it was still possible for us to travel on Christmas with relative ease.  (Relative).

And though we were "Down South", we got our White Christmas!

 Tons of cousin fun.

Lots of sparkle, feasting and festivity.

 I'm pretty sure that every Christmas needs a two-year-old.  Christmas morning with the little toys of dolls and train sets make it so magical.

It's true.  Home is where we're all together.  It was a joyful Christmas, and a family memory made!

How we Winter

Apparently my method of blogging these days is to go far too long, scroll my phone for pictures, and then recap life in 5 minutes or less.  Here goes!  Your January update:

After ballet on Saturday mornings, it has become a tradition to take my girls around the corner to a Panera and get them something special for breakfast, and coffee for me!  Two weeks ago, Rosie saw some fancy bakery with cherries on top and longed to try them.  Last week, I let her and Eowyn each get one--they were so excited!  I guess it's the little things.  I love being able to spoil a kid or two now and then.  My kids are plenty spoiled, but it's special when I get just a couple apart from the group.

Monday was a blizzard, Wednesday and Thursday were the coldest temperatures I remember, though my father claims he's seen worse.  Schools were closed, businesses were closed.  Lots of basketball was cancelled (yay!).  We hunkered down and drank gallons of hot chocolate.  (Literally.  I buy the milk around here).

 Igloo courtesy of Bilbo.

 One of the best things about homeschooling is that we never need to take a "snow day".  We did have a movie afternoon on Wednesday because I forbade my children from leaving our house with -50 windchill!

Wilma in the schoolroom is still one of our favorite things.  Rosie keeps treats in her desk just to share with Wilma when she comes visiting during school time.  That alone makes me think every child should be homeschooled.  Not that all homeschoolers have fluffy cats on their desks.  But doesn't it seem like fun?  What distraction?  We are very serious academics around here.

I guess that's about it.  Snow, cold, and a little school room fun.  It's how we Winter!:)