Aaah, holidays. The days of leisurely cutting grapefruit for 4 children to enjoy for breakfast, the evenings of leisurely drives around town to soak in the never-gets-old magic of Christmas light displays. Today it’s back to real life, and I can’t say I’m super happy about it. So instead we’re looking back on why we love the holidays.
There was just enough snow to build a wee snowman, and it stayed cold enough that the snow stayed for the duration of the holidays. A white Christmas never gets old, and we don’t get them often enough.
The first day of snow-play I accidentally closed Theo’s fingers in the door on the way out and he was too distraught to be talked into snow pants, but the next day we tried again and he was nothing less than gleeful. When the snow turned icy, we went out with beach shovels and played pirates shoveling snow, then ice-ball, in which you throw balls of ice at children and they smash them apart by swinging their re-purposed shovels. They’ll be so ready for baseball season.
Carl has been working hard covering the concrete in the basement all holidays, and it is now levelled, floored, painted, and ready for some decorating, working around a bonus pool table with lovely green felt. It never ceases to amaze me, how many talents this man has.
Kristopher likes nothing more than to be helpful, so he was in there moving boxes and grabbing tools whenever asked. Yes, we painted coral, or, as the boys call it, pink. Before and afters to follow when we get some decor together to make it all make sense ;)
There were snuggles for Max, who returned from what we thought was dead, after he went missing outside for 3 days in the snow. I was hours away from my self-imposed deadline of when I would pack away the food and kitty litter when I heard a familiar meow at the door. He is blissfully happy to be home and we all love him a little more.
There were games of Scrabble, Ticket to Ride, Trouble, Killer Bunnies, and Guess Who.
There were new blocks for sick babies who never got out of their pyjamas, and much mess on the kitchen floor.
There was enthusiastic piano playing, some melodic, some less so.
There were stockings, skating, dinner out, dinner in, games, colouring, stories, snuggles, snow and so, so much food and family. I have been wearing my eating clothes for days and literally can’t even fit my jeans right now. I tried and failed.
Through it all, we feel God’s overwhelming, undeserved grace and care, and look forward to another year knowing he holds the whole world, including our little home, in his hands. May you all feel that confidence and comfort for 2016.
Here we go, year.
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