Christmas Break....I Suppose

Remember the days when a holiday actually meant a vacation? I have many fond memories of sitting around during those two glorious weeks off and reading, shopping, eating, sleeping, skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, watching movies and playing games. Furthermore, all of this festivity and vacationing was usually accomplished while also reuniting with family and friends.

To this I say: Sorry, Mom. And sorry to my mother-in-law.

I abused you.

I mean, wow...when you don't go anywhere, and you don't have family visiting, and your husband still has to work his normal workload and school is out, the vacation turns out quite different.

For instance, I still have to cook. People still get hungry and want to eat and there is no food magically appearing around suppertime after a day of games. Oh...and that day of games? It isn't happening either.

I feel like a grown-up...and not in the good way.

It hasn't been bad. It's just been too normal. I have always counted on this burst of holiday cheer to get me though the rest of the dreary winter. I suppose I'm just going to have to put a lot of emphasis on the good stuff that's happened.

Seth won the family fantasy football championship. I had it two years ago (although I came in 11th of 12 teams this year) and then Uncle Darren had it. We say it has rightfully returned home.

It's called the Krafty Blue Bowl, in honor of Grandpa's old horse.

We frosted Christmas cookies. I had ordered a dozen from a gluten-free bakery and then we never decorated them for the big day. So, even though Christmas had past, we still managed to frost and...yes...eat them.

Seth snitches some cream cheese frosting.

Anyone want to guess how well Henry and frosting mix? I'm still finding it on things.

Outside after one of the several batches of new snow we've had this week.

Super Sam

Seth thought it was fun to throw snowballs. Henry though differently.

Seth and Sam had been having lightsaber wars and after a while, I noticed it was quiet. I thought it very unlikely that both boys had spontaneously fallen asleep in the middle of the room, and on further inspection found them both to be "playing dead."

Sammy has always had a great death scene and while Seth could hardly keep his legs still, Sammy was convincing. He even had his eyes half open for part of the time.

My favorite thing was meeting some fellow bloggers for brunch on Friday. Kelly A. is in town for the holiday and had some of her fans come adore her at a local cafe. Next to me is Kelly's cute sister Lori, then Kelly...across the table is Andie, who is fashionably delightful and Denise, a kindred spirit for sure.

We're officially putting the whole "internet/blogging friend" bit to rest. We are simply good friends. Kelly is a star.

Jay made my entire week by preparing a fabulous chile verde meal from scratch. Roasted the tomatillos, slow cooked the pork. It was awesome. I'm hoping it becomes some sort of tradition.

We made it to the Children's Museum yesterday. It was very, very, very crowded, but Jay was there so I could simply follow Henry. He could have cared less if he knew where I was, so it was up to me to know where he was.

Favorite place was the balls. He loved lifting up this cover and having the wind blow his face. Then, when the cover is closed, it becomes like one of those bank vacuums and sucks the ball up the tube.

His face when the ball zooms up.

When I bunch it all together, we look like party animals! Or at least alive and kicking.