Full of light

This little guy is one of my all time favorite ornaments.   The kids have learned that it is important to find just the right spot, and angle a light into the room, so you can see Santa at work.  Jack his is stride as a tree decorator this year, placing ornaments with great consideration...

Officially in the holiday spirit around here.  This weekend did the trick.  We had no choice!  We were waylaid by light.

This guy, it turns out, really loves Christmas.  Most mornings, and evenings, you can find him in this pose.  Or, tucked under the tree.  Or, nestled in among the tiny village houses.  I kid you not.

Friday Night:  Snowball dance!  Leave it to my daughter to get to me to one of these!  Jack had 3 opportunities before this year and never showed the slightest bit of interest.  (Didn't this time either-- he and dad stayed home to play video games...)  But Ivy?  She was ready to rock.

Some of our favorite Boulevard girls, all princessed up for the night!

I'm afraid the dance wasn't quite what Ivy expected-- she told me at one point that she thought it would be a performance -- but eventually she came around to the idea and we had some fun dancing to a song or two.  I have to admit, it WAS pretty crazy in there. SO many elementary schoolers.  SO much running.  And loud music, and lights...

We spent quite a while hiding out under a stairwell with these nice kiddos.  Ivy (go figure) has quite a following among the little boys in her class.  This cutie was one of several who kept seeking her out.  That's my girl. ;)

And here's my girl ready for a birthday party the next day! Why not wear your Christmas best?  We tried hard to pretend it was winter even as we headed out in shirtsleeves and bare legs.  The boys played outside for the better part of 2 hours at Ellie's party.  Crazy weather...

Crazy partiers!

Ivy's been my little companion this weekend, happily accompanying me back out, moments after arriving home, to go to caroling on Coventry.

We had the best time.  Her little enthusiastic voice!  Her bright eyes!  Her excited clapping after each song we sang... Her hand in mind as we wandered down the street in a surprisingly big, surprisingly off-key group of singers.  We also had a delightful surprise of running into some old friends.  Ivy and Ella rekindled a friendship within seconds and even had an impromptu playdate back at our house to close the day...

Sunday: A morning trip to church with Gram...

... and a visit to a balmy, calm lake.  Springlike weather, down to the humid grey air, and even a few trees (sadly) trying to bud...   So strange.  

Yet, lovely.

In the afternoon-- off to Glow! 

It was a bit of a madhouse at the gardens, with the day crowd still clearing out even as 1,000 people crowded in for Member's Night.  We'll need to go back to take in the decorated trees and gingerbread with more care.  But our visit this weekend was worth it for the fact that the kids were running around in the woodland gardens.  On December 14th.

The outdoor lights were pretty magical.

Inside wasn't bad either...

Ivy's wish on the Wishing Tree...

We seem, recently, to be in the habit of arriving late to our own parties...  once again we were rushing home directly to Sunday Soup, and once again our (awesome) friends had made themselves at home to wait for us.  I am so grateful for our friends...

and cookies.  I am grateful for cookies...

We had plenty on Sunday.

And baby snuggles!

And conversation and crazy children who decimated the upstairs bedrooms, and even caroling around the piano and out on the porch to close the night.  Caroling, requested by someone OTHER than me! With people singing parts! Miraculous! And, our carols even included the Dreidel song, as our friends brought their menorah and some latkes to share. The lights of the last night of Hanukkah mingled with the lights on our tree and we ate delicious chicken soup and reveled in being together.

And no matter the busyness of it all and the breathtaking, countdown rush.  Christmas was there in the room with us.  It was with us all weekend, whenever we took the time to look.

So much light.