Christmas Eve

The best part of this letter is that Mia doesn't believe in Santa.  She whispered to me that she is continuing to tell Luca she believes so that she doesn't spoil the mystery for him.  I nodded knowingly but understand on such a personal level why we are so hesitant to give up on myths we know just can't be plausible.  It's tough to let go of a bit of that innocence.  I resent when people say that not believing is giving up on magic.  LIFE IS MAGICAL.  We don't need make believe and stories to experience the wonder and beauty of this thing we are all bumping around in....the journey of the human experience.  A smile can be transformative.  A nod.  A glance.  A hug can be moving.  A snowy night can be mystical.  A bright sky can be magical.  My kids don't need a guy dressed in red to believe in the power of MAGIC.  They just need to be open to the world around them.

We left out the snacks, which I'll go and put away when I know they are sleeping.  I'll snuggle into my bed and open a book with powerful words and I'll think.  I'll ponder the very nature of life, like I do all the time.  And I'll know that you can't explain some things.  Some things just feel magical. 

Gingerbread Tradition

The kids and I met at Amy's house for our gingerbread house party.  'House Party' being the most important words in that phrase.  We drank wine and ate Andy's amazing soups, chit chatted about the stress of the holidays and watched as our kids freebased candy and icing.  It's one of my most favorite traditions. 

This is Mia and Luca's shared creation.

My girl and I have some serious history together.  A knowing glance or a hand on the shoulder is all it takes with us. 

Amy's two cuties.

Luca's house and his gingerbread person. 

The A ladies. 

Caroling

We went Christmas caroling on Saturday night with our neighbors and had an unexpected ball.  You know those evenings when you ask yourself how you got into the situation you find yourself tangled in?  As we were getting ready, V asked, "Seriously....who agreed to this?"

It was so fun.  About 8 couples and all of our children met at one family's house for some liquid courage and dinner.  We ate and drank and could have happily stayed next to their fire.  But, alas, we were herded outside to find the most beautiful night, complete with snow falling all around us. 

We sang easier songs that we knew, all 30 of us, and the kids led the way, rushing up to the doors to ring the bells. 

We all brought travel cups and stopped mid way at another neighbor's to refuel.  It was my first time having hot buttered rum and figured out quickly why it was so delicious.  It's made with butter.  Of course. 

Some of our neighbors heard our troops coming down the street and poked their heads over the fence.  We convinced them to join us. 

I will never doubt again. 

Luca's Preschool Christmas Performance

So this was it....our last preschool Christmas performance at the preschool! 

We made a big deal out of it and, as per tradition, went to see Santa first, and then went to dinner before the show.  I loved having a tiny helper to video and photograph for me.  The parents form such a throng of paparazzi like interest that it is impossible to get near the alter where the kids are singing. So itty bitty Mia went armed with our camera to get shots!

I did manage to get this one of Luca following his classmates in line to the alter.  There he is looking all around for us. 

He is on the left of the girl in the red dress.  He seemed appropriately bored most of the time, even yawning big during the last two songs. 

He waved to us frequently and was clearly unimpressed by all of the fuss. 



There is Mia, in the center of the photo in the red dress and bun, filming for me.  I will post that video once I get it to my harddrive.  You might need to take some kind of nausea medicine while watching it, it's as if you're on a boat.  She's seven; what do you expect. 

They all look so innocent don't they? 

Santa

The kids wouldn't stand together so I took shots of them alone in front of the tree where Santa was set up.  Nothing like a little sibling love to set us all in the right spirit of the season!

Not only would the kids not stand together, Luca wouldn't even look at me.  Just refused. 

They peeked through the trees at Santa and watched as other kids shared their wishes. 

So cute to see them excited.  Luca was the most thrilled of anyone there.  He dominated the conversation and carefully listed everything he ever wanted.  Santa kept looking at me to see how he should respond. 

Mia said she doesn't really believe in Santa.  She said all of her friends do though.  I asked her then why she doesn't.  "Because it just doesn't seem possible to me.  That's all."  I didn't agree or disagree, or really show any emotion either way.  I was too busy beaming with pride that intellectually, she's willing to march to the beat of her own drummer. 

Here he is mid list.  It was a long one.  Santa had to stay invested in this lap sitting for awhile!

Whether they believe or they don't believe, it is quite possibly the cutest picture of the year.  I love Santa's squinted eyes as he squeezes my tiny kids. 

Doll Date with Nana

How cute is this?  My mom took Mia and Tilly to the American Girl Doll store to have their dolls' hair done.  She had been talking about wanting to do it for awhile but schedules just never aligned.  She finally said, "This is the moment.  They will never be this age again, and will never be this interested."  This is their "before" shot at Tilly's house. 

Mom said it was hysterical, like a real salon.  The dolls wore little smocks and even had hairbands placed on their heads when their faces were cleaned.  They had to trim Mia's doll's hair (The MIA doll) because it had gotten kind of ratty.  They told Mom that we were to only brush the doll's hair when it was "spritzed with water."  Mia took it all in and no doubt will be the best doll stylist around.  I, however, still won't be. 

Here is the "after" shot.  Off to dinner!

The girls aren't doll fanatics at all.  Both have an American Girl Doll, and they like them enough to dress them every once in awhile.  There is something magical about children and dolls/stuffed animals though.  Children like to own something, to feel in control.  The girls had a blast doing this!

The girls went to dinner (notice the dolls seated in the carriers....it was a "doll friendly" restaurant).  Nana was in heaven because she has wanted to do this for some time.  It is a memory I know the girls will have forever as well.  They are both at that age (seven) that moments actually get catalogued somewhere, into a bank of special moments, to be pulled out another day. 

Thank God for Nana.  She is amazing and is helping to make their childhoods warm and sweet.  She still does the same for my life!

Girls Rule

Mia had this posted on her door for quite a while.  My only suggestion with revision was to use caution when asking permission and expressing gratitude when demanding things.  It's funny raising a daughter; I want her to be fair and decent, but not overly apologetic and gracious.

Girls grow up to be women. 

They can be trying....but try not to laugh around them. Impossible.

Luca uses the ottoman as a giant rolling wheel.  My mother and I stopped him thank God before he took it down the basement steps, as he tried. 

Photos Galore!

The video (posted on the entry below)  has all of the pictures that I just love from our holiday but here are a few of my favorites. 


Neil, Lyla and I  ran a race on Thanksgiving morning!  It was so gorgeous, and exhilarating to be running along cold mountain roads, some packed with snow, with my brother and my niece.  Hadley and Olivia were true sports and walked the race with us. 



The youngest and the oldest.  These two melt my heart. 



The roller rink was a HUGE hit. 

Nothing like bringing a bottle of wine outside and using the trunk of a car to hold the bottle and glasses.  We are spoiled rotten in this magnificent state. 

We tried re-enacting our famous beach shot from Cape Cod.  We thought this could be our winter family jump shot.  It didn't work out too well.