Violet’s 6th birthday; NW parents’ visit; and snow!

Out of the Blue’s special guest star killing the crowd at the Triangle Farmers’ Market; Port Aransas with friends.

Hill Country camp wedding, NE parents’ visit, Pappy Hour pirate gig, Graham’s 4th birthday party (Wild Kratts theme).

Thumbelina, from Violet Crown Community Theater; Princess Bride live; the beginning of the loose-tooth era; the kids’ first late night concert.

Rob and I running away to NYC for the day; Out of the Blue’s Moonlight Float gig; Ryan-O’Connor family weekend on Long Island; Fire Island with the Lifford cousins.

Our first flights in Apa’s new airplane, Violet on stage at the county fair; first day of first grade; the Pig & Ford; our trip to the NW.

Fostering 16 baby chickens; installing new floors; first real rain in a year.

Little Red Rocking Hood from Violet Crown Community Theater; kidnapping Rob for our 9th anniversary weekend; Graham learning to pump; Owl Halloween; Violet taking off the training wheels; Becker Fall Fest & 75th Anniversary.

Camping with friends; photography class; E.A.S.T.

Fancy holiday karaoke party; caroling; low-stress Christmas.

And now I’ll stop blogging on New Year’s Eve because, well, that’s kind of lame.  And also, I’m about to sip cocktails, watch a movie with someone awesome and fall asleep long before midnight.

NICE.

I have to admit that I wasn’t sure I’d make it through this exercise.  I mean, it’s one thing to think about what you’re grateful for, and another to sit down and write about it.  Or even take a photo and post it.  Especially since the only time I can really sit down for a quiet moment at the laptop is between 8-9pm.  (i.e. between kid bedtime and brain shut-down).  Something had to give.  (Sorry, Rosetta Stone Spanish).

But, like physical exercise, the hardest part is often just lacing up the shoes and heading out the door.  So many days I found that if I just sat down to write, one gratitude led to another and another until I felt so lucky to be living this life I’ve got that my head almost exploded.

That’s probably the point.

So who knows?  Maybe I’ll just continue on through the New Year.  Once a week?  What do you think?  Anyone else in?

한국어 김치라면

“Oh, it’s a toy, like a robot or something, that can change into ANYTHING a kids wants!”

It took us until Christmas Eve to convince him that such a toy does not exist, although it would be awesome if it did.

Meanwhile, the grandparents had their own moments of worry.  Most were concerned that the kids would not have enough to open Christmas morning or would be disappointed in their gifts.  It’s understandable.  But they kindly humored me and were very clever about wrapping the “tickets” in books about the activities or sticking chocolate in the boxes.

I am happy to report that the big day was a huge success.  The kids were thrilled beyond belief to be going to Sea World and can’t wait to start rock climbing and taekwondo classes.  Right now they are at a one-day hip-hop camp that Rob and I got them. (Merry Christmas to meeeee!)

It was a little tricky to walk the line between lots of fun activities and making sure our schedules don’t get overloaded.  But I think it worked out very well this year.  And who knows, maybe next year they’ll actually ask for Things.  That’s okay!  Right now I’m just looking forward to all the fun stuff we have planned.

By the way, Santa got dibs on the only other thing Graham asked for: a tiny purple unicorn to match his big purple unicorn.

Gotta love that kid.

Over the past 5 years or so we’ve done a ridiculous amount of Letter Art.  I’m a little sad to report that, understandably, Violet has lost interest in this particular bit of craftiness.  Graham has his own style, that usually does NOT include me suggesting what he should make.  So this is a fond farewell to an era.

A big thanks to NoTimeForFlashcards.com, where I got ideas for many of these projects.

It was just lovely. Sweet. Joyful. Comfortable. Relaxing.

And now it’s over, which is perfectly fine with me.

not a creature was stirring.  Not even a

The

were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that

soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of

danced in their heads.

(… the rest of the delicious poem has been eaten).