Auld Lang Syne

Sophia's Elf on a Shelf, Freddy

The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas flew by!  When I remembered the chaos of buying numerous, relatively inex- pensive, presents for Brandon and Sophia, I was relieved that this year I had decided to buy two gifts for them to share, and then give them each some cash.  Both had expressed the desire to have several items with large price tags.  With the money I planned to give them, each can decide on what they want to spend their moo-lah.  They're happy to have money and I'm happy to have been freed of the added shopping and responsibility for poor decision-making.

Christmas Eve - Making cookies for Santa

As in the past, I spent the night Christmas Eve at their house.  Brandon decided that we'd get up at 5:30 Christmas morning.  Dawn rejected that idea and suggested a compromise at 6:30.  Brandon came back with 6:00.  Dawn said, "No, 6:30."  

At 6:00 AM, the ceiling light came on in my bedroom.  I kept my eyes closed, and told whoever it was to turn off the light and go away.  Then I heard Dawn say, "Go back to bed, Brandon."  Some muffled conversation followed, and then it was quiet again.  But I could hear footsteps going back and forth outside my door.  Finally, I rolled over and saw wee Sophia followed by Dawn walk into Brandon's room.  It was 6:15, and apparently Christmas festivities had begun.

The lava lamp Brandon yearned for

The dress from Uncle Brett and Aunt Michelle

Putting the new karaoke machine to use

By 7:15, all the gifts had been opened.  While Dawn prepared breakfast, I busied myself gathering torn gift wrap and tidying the room while Brandon and Sophia got acquainted with their gifts.  Some time was spent "performing" with the aid of the karaoke machine.  Then it was time to pack up and head out to meet Matt with whom Brandon and Sophia would spend the following week.  

While the kids are away, Dawn and I will spend our time preparing for 2011 -- packing away Christmas decorations, clearing the slate of the old year and getting ready to meet the needs of the new year.