Monkey & Peanut are up North with their mom for the Holidays while Stan, Puddin' and I are down South enjoying a very mellow Christmas. There is abundant peace and goodwill around us and very little Christmas hype. In some ways it feels a little too calm to be Christmas, or maybe even anti-climactic.
After a hectic fall, we've all been looking forward to a break. This past weekend we were given a bigger break than we dreamed of. After Monkey's ballet recital Friday night (she did so well! No stage fright, managed to smile a little, and mostly remembered her moves.) the blizzard started. We woke up Saturday morning to 6 inches of snow and no sign of stopping. After a call to Nana's, we realized that the extended family Christmas present exchange was not going to happen that day since they had more snow than we did. (Luckily, Nana & Papa had the foresight to drop off presents with us after the recital. We've all been really excited for Monkey & Peanut to get their gifts.) All morning long we watched the snow pile up and puttered about the house with tea and hot chocolate. After lunch we went ahead with present opening, putting family on speaker phone as needed. It was actually a lot of fun to have just our quintet and take our time enjoying and exploring. We laughed and played and had a grand ole time until all the presents were open. Then we laughed and played some more.
Sunday morning the snow had finally stopped but had left us a foot and a half of fluffy white. The snow plows were no where in sight so we were house bound for another day. Monkey & Peanut finally got up the nerve to brave the cold and went outside to bury their heads in the snow. (Honestly. They were playing "ostrich.") Stan started shoveling while I watched from the warmth of my teacup. Once again, we spent the day playing and talking. We cooked and baked. We talked about Advent and what Christmas means to us this year. We went to bed satisfied.
By Monday afternoon, when Monkey & Peanut's mom picked them up for the winter break, it felt sad to break up our little gang. Three days together with no errands or projects was a tremendous blessing. More than a blessing, it was everything I had asked for for Christmas - rest and peace.
So here I am, about to celebrate Christmas proper, and feeling too spoiled to ask for anything more. I hope that each of you will find that joy and satisfaction as you go through your own holiday season.
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