Dear Jesus, I would like some more presents...

Yes, this is what Danny said for his prayer tonight. Apparently he feels shorted. Sarah prayed that we might consider those who have less stuff than us. She followed that up with "Please help us to get more and more stuff, and help us to give them some of the not good stuff." I am just overflowing with pride. Really...you just can't tell.

At any rate, our Christmas was lovely, even though I did have strep and feel kind of punk the whole time. Everyone made it, the food was good, presents were incredible, and no one fought. (If they did fight I wasn't paying attention!)

Sarah's favorite present is a Wall-e shirt from Grandma and Poppa, while Danny's is the chocolate lab Webkinz that he named Sparkly, just as promised. My parents also bought us a Wii...our foray into video games that we've always sworn we would never get. It's so cool!

Home Stretch

This was the craziest week of the Christmas season, by far. We had parties for both kids at school, Christmas programs, a party out, and two parties at our house. Don't ask me why I do this every year. I guess I like it!

Tonight is Steve's family celebration at our house. Christmas Eve will be spent with my parents, as usual, eating my mom's cioppino and some other soup that I will choose. Christmas Day, my brothers and family will come for dinner and presents for the kids. I just love all of the time we get to spend with people we love at this time of year.

This morning was Sarah's choir program at church. I have a couple of excerpts, and will post the best...hopefully in a day or two. She was a bit nervous at the first performance, which is of course the one I taped. Additionally, she was walled in by two boys and couldn't move her arms well. The second, she saw her brother and couldn't stop smiling and waving. It was very sweet!

Angels We Have Heard...In the Laundry???

Is this what happens when your child goes to church too often? This was the end of about two hours of singing the SAME thing after my choir practice.

Scary

An article about a local food co-op owner and how the Department of Agriculture feels about them. Those of us who enjoy farm markets, farm tours, or aspire to farm need to get behind small farms now, before they are forced out of business.

http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/08/swat-team.htm

O, Christmas Tree!

The blasted Christmas tree is up...mostly. I have never wrestled with something so much in my life. (I guess I should consider myself quite lucky.) My mom said that I need to find some more Christmas cheer, but I assured her I have plenty of cheer. It's just not directed at the tree.

We decided not to use our special ornaments again this year, after Danny tried to climb said tree yesterday. I have plenty to cover the front and the side that is most visible, so that will just have to do. Most likely, people will not notice much of the tree once they get past the blue rug (from Lola) and the spots on the rug (from coffee). We are so blessed!

Speaking of blessings, Sarah is becoming quite the singer. She goes around the house all day singing her choir songs, as well as mine. In fact, last week at practice, she sat with us in the alto section. I looked over next to me, and that girl was singing every note right alond with us. It's so neat to see your kids develop interests like this, especially when they are shared interests.