Christmas is almost here, and somewhat different in many ways from past years, tho' with many typical joys as well. The tree went up a week earlier than usual, and this is the first year that Santa has had the presence to put the presents under the tree early. Although you might expect an emotional letdown that older kids often get regarding "Christmas present anticipation", seeing them sitting there wrapped but on full display, with new additions appearing unpredictably, has led my often surly teenaged crew to gleefully shake and fondle and count and speculate almost daily. Nikki refuses to believe that the large wrapped box with her name on it is actually a package of underwear cleverly disguised as a ruse to trick her. Joe, having money burning a hole in his pocket and disturbed that the dogs always get something, decided to purchase at cat toy/nap-place pirate ship - couldn't wait until Christmas, so he set it up immediately.
We still enjoy the annual family combo Christmas & Mom's/Aunt Ed
ie's birthday party at Camp Kiwanee. This year Aunt Edie did not come up from Florida to attend, but two of her five children participated anyway. Unexpectedly, Moms cousin Howard and his daughter Terry and son Jim came in from Maine to see long lost relatives. We downsized our tree in an effort to not obstruct the view of the television for a month, but thanks to a belated but still in the St. Nick of time extending of unemployment benefits, we didn't have to downsize the gift lists too badly. We have gotten better in recent years to shop more specifically and orderly instead of randomly and emotionally, but still some kids are just so easy and fun to shop for while others are difficult and offer little insight. The job search is still unsuccessfully continuing, although I did receive a very enthusiastic apologetic rejection from a recent application and found a new opening to apply for that I totally qualify for and have the experience for, so maybe the new year will be more prosperous. We get to have all of our still-at-home kids
at home for Christmas morning, and get to share Mary & Matts first Christmas as home-owners, conducting the childrens exchanging of gifts tradition at their beautiful house in Hanson.
We still enjoy the annual family combo Christmas & Mom's/Aunt Ed
ie's birthday party at Camp Kiwanee. This year Aunt Edie did not come up from Florida to attend, but two of her five children participated anyway. Unexpectedly, Moms cousin Howard and his daughter Terry and son Jim came in from Maine to see long lost relatives. We downsized our tree in an effort to not obstruct the view of the television for a month, but thanks to a belated but still in the St. Nick of time extending of unemployment benefits, we didn't have to downsize the gift lists too badly. We have gotten better in recent years to shop more specifically and orderly instead of randomly and emotionally, but still some kids are just so easy and fun to shop for while others are difficult and offer little insight. The job search is still unsuccessfully continuing, although I did receive a very enthusiastic apologetic rejection from a recent application and found a new opening to apply for that I totally qualify for and have the experience for, so maybe the new year will be more prosperous. We get to have all of our still-at-home kids
at home for Christmas morning, and get to share Mary & Matts first Christmas as home-owners, conducting the childrens exchanging of gifts tradition at their beautiful house in Hanson.
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