This Is Me--Holiday Traditions

As with most families, we have many Christmas traditions we enjoy. A short and in no way inclusive list would be:

singing carols by Mom's tree on Christmas Eve

opening stockings from youngest to oldest

receiving books from Santa Claus

homemade eggnog (now made with egg substitute due to my pregnancies)

playing Scrabble at some point on Christmas Day

Melissa's cheese balls

advent calendars for both my kids and the Z-man

But one of my favorite Christmas traditions is just a little wacky. That's the way I like it. Growing up, we played a lot of Christmas songs on the piano. Anyone who knows my family will not be at all surprised by this. We also played a lot of Christmas duets. When I was young, my favorite duets were those I got to play with Mom. It wasn't often either of us had time during Christmas to be alone together, so I savored those moments. But then, Melissa grew up, and matched my skills on the keyboard. And Mom started having us play together instead.

I probably balked at first. I don't remember doing it, but it would have been in line with my teenage angst to do so.

Eventually, we fell into a rhythm and enjoyed playing together. Then, we found the song. The most fabulous and wonderful song ever: "Jingle Bells." But not just any Jingle Bells. It's the duet arranged by Dennis Alexander. It's not terribly difficult, although it's not easy either. But that's not why we love it.

We play it fast.

And when I say fast, I mean take-a-deep-breath-brace-yourself-this-is-gonna-be-bumpy-race-you-to-the-finish-the-first-one-there-wins fast.

Literally, we play as fast as we can--which, with the number of years we have been playing, is very very fast. And each time we play it, we try to go faster. We mess up, we bump each other out of the way (accidently on purpose of course), and we always end up giving up because we're laughing too hard to play at all. It's glorious.

And what makes it even better is--I get to do it with my sister.

She's far away this year, but she'll be home for Christmas. And I can't wait.

So, sis, you better practice. I'm waiting for you.

One Track Mind

This is all I have been working on last week, and all I have planned to work on the rest of this week:

I wish I could show you what is inside, but not quite yet. I'm barely keeping my head above water with all the shopping, and making, and holiday stuff to do. But I'm loving it. I'll have lots more of these pretty presents done by the end of the week. And then next week I can relax and play with my kids while they're home.

I have TONS of projects and lists and things to make and do planned for January and beyond. But for now, there's not a lot to share--just some mystery presents in pretty paper.

Playing Catch Up

It's time for me to unload my phone and my camera and post a few pictures of what we have been up to.

In October, Z-man, Little Man, and I went with Munchkin on a field trip to Hee Haw Farms. The kids had tons of fun. Most of the pictures are on Z-Man's phone (which I haven't emptied yet), but here are a couple I had:

I know they're the wrong direction, but I'm too tired tonight to figure out why or how to fix it. You have to love me anyway.

Early this month, the kids helped me decorate for Christmas by cutting out many, many colorful snowflakes:

Just last week we went with Munchkin on another preschool field trip. This one was to Cabela's. In addition to watching the huge fish, feeding the fish in the pond, and looking at all the stuffed animals, we got to try the shooting gallery. Z-Man couldn't get the rabbit to jump, but Munchkin did!

Munchkin must have inherited her great-grandma's skill with a gun--makes me wonder what she's teaching them before she sends them down to me.