A New Year

The New Year has come and gone now and if I don't take my Christmas displays down soon, my neighbors are going to start knocking on my door. It's a shame, really, that we consider Christmas over and done with on the 26th of December. The 12 days of Christmas seem to be lost on almost everybody anymore. The return to school and the work routine play some part in the demise, I'm sure, but we Strawn's held out this year and I've thoroughly enjoyed the Jingle Bells, Christmas music, lighted garland and tree right up to the very end.

But, all good things must come to a new beginning and I decided today that I really need to dust, so everything came down. Well, almost. Lars has had so much fun with the Christmas Village (named Frankenmuth, Michigan by Eden) that we are keeping that up at least a few more days. After all, there's still snow on the ground outdoors, too, and hopefully much more sledding and snowmen to come yet this year, so the village is fitting. And it's cheap entertainment.

We enjoyed reading an Advent book to Eden & Lars every day of Advent, switching to Christmas books for the next 12 days. Lars asked "please may I have a new surprise today" every day, too. Guess we need to spread out the wealth next year! Now we've exhausted the few Epiphany books we've got and have moved on to winter fun stories. I feel like a library keeper now that I think about it.

And in the realm of gift giving and receiving, the kids have had a lot of fun with their new toys.

Eden's new kitchen is a big hit (It better be, it took daddy and the visiting doctor 2 solid hours to put it together)! and she's becoming a pro with the texting cell phone from Leapfrog.

Lars is content with his sought after matchbox car, a purple pick up truck, and his Handy Manny Tool Box. He also got a few John Deere Tractors that have been put to good use, farming away his bedroom carpet. He was angry that his bean picker wasn't turning the way it was supposed to yesterday and asked me to oil it with some light oil. I don't even know what that means, but I'm sure he does.

I am in love with my cake platter punch bowls and can't imagine life with out them now!

And, in due time, Allen is going to appreciate his whatchama-call-it that will change tires fast in the racing pits.

We've all had a fun few weeks and I hope the true joy continues to last. It's hard to stay in The Word when the World is doing it's best to swallow us up in busy-ness.

Now, if Elia starts sleeping through the night, we'll be good...