Oh, Solstice Tree

 

It's hard to believe that it's the final month of 2024 already. For years now I have been much more connected to the Winter Solstice than I have been to Christmas but this year feels even more so. It's hard to get behind celebrating Christian holidays when so many awful things are being done or said by people who profess to be Christian. Even though the UCC is not at all like the more conservative end of the Christian fatith spectrum (we are, after all, lovingly refered to as the Unitarians Considering Christ), it's still hard to want to be associated at all given the current climate. I often feel like I should have been raised pagan (or secular pagan) or Unitarian even, as nature and the ryhtms of the year align so much more with my parents views/beliefs/what they hold dear. Regardless, I am grateful that Dave, the girls and I celebrate the rhythm of the seasons and find comfort in the natural world around us. It is so very fitting that our tree reflects that. This year, and likely the four to come, will be even more essential to finding peace, beauty, harmony and wonder in our little part of the world. xo

New Year’s Eve Eve in Connecticut

 

An unseaonably warm day for New Year's Eve Eve absolutetly called for some archery and where better than in Gramma Terri and Grandpa Gene's yard! 

My parents gave the girls Shasibo Cubes for Christmas. I love this cool shape that Emma made! We had such a lovely visit yesterday, complete with the much requested trip to Ikea for Swedish Meatballs! So glad that we were able to spend the peunultimate day of 2022 with my parents and brother (and such a gorgeous day at that)! xo 

Not Our Usual Boxing Day

 

Usually on Boxing Day we are home, in our jammies, building the latest Lego set. This year, howwever, we took a road trip to New Jersey to celebrating Christms with Dave's parents, sister, Peter and Henry. We figured since we were there they might as well try the indoor skiing place near his hometown. Needless to say, they had a good time but will stick to outdoor skiing from here on out. xo 

A Little More Christmas

 

A chess set for Emma and a soprano ukulele for Grace (items that the girls have hoped for for awhile now) made for an even lovelier holiday! Thanks Grandma Joan and Grandpa Ron for such thoughtful gifts and for such a lovely visit! xo

Meanwhile, Back at Home...

 

While Grace was at the dance, Emma and I had a fabulous time making cinnamon rolls and singing! xo 

Oh Christmas Tree...

 

and just like that it feels more like Solstice/Christmastime. xo 

On Christmas Day

Our Christmas morning began with a viewing of the Christmas Eve service from the night before. And while it felt a little strange to sing silent night at 8:00am, there was also something really special about it too.

Obligatory picture before we open presents! 

Opening her gift from Emma. 

Emma gave her three little hand made items (a mama and baby dolphin and a dove) that she bought at the Waldorf school's store.

And a silly page-a-day-calendar (that will surely be loved by all)! 

Opening her gifts from Grace. 

Grace gave her two outfits for her mice (that I did not take a picture of, evidently) and this beautiful journal that Emma really was hoping for (all from our wonderful trip to the Waldorf School's store). 

Santa gifts. The girls have outgrown this tradition, though the magic is still there (as is the Santa wrapping paper that has been used since Grace was just a few months old) so when I saw these I just knew that they would be the perfect gifts from Santa for them this year! 

Last New Year's Eve the girls saw their first Star Wars movie. Fast forward just about a year later and they have now watched all the movies in the Star Wars franchise plus both seasons of The Mandalorean. To say they are fans would be an understatement. These bobbleheads felt like the perfect way to commemorate this past year for them. 

Opening their something to wear gifts (new leos for dance). 

Opening their "something you need" gifts. 

New gloves for Emma, 

And new goggles for Grace. 

Something to read.

The Gift of the Magi has always been a favorite story, but with this being the year that Grace's class read and discussed it it seemed even more fitting for her to have her own copy. 

Opening her "something you want" gift. 

Both girls were hard to figure out their "something you want" gifts this year, as there was really nothing they wanted. Last week when we went to the Waldorf school store, Emma saw this and instantly was smitten. I knew that that would make the perfect gift for that part of the poem!

And, of course, Christmas morning wouldn't be Christmas morning without homemade cinnamon rolls (pre-icing)! 

Opening their gift from Gramma Terri and Grandpa Gene. 

I have wanted to own one of these since I first saw it in the school psychologist's office back in my teaching days at Mulready. I am so glad we have one now! Thanks mom and dad! 

David's gift from his parents is the Lego piano (I have no idea where it's going to live once it's built) and Emma is working on her treasure box.

Grace makes the final few batches of cinnamon rolls while dinner is cooking. 

It was indeed a lovely Christmas Day today. We would have much preferred a lovely snowstorm rather than the torrential rain we had but alas it's 2020 so rain it was! To all those celebrating today: we hope that your day was a lovely as ours and we wish you a joyous twelve days of Christmas! May all your Christmas wishes come true! 

To all those wo aren't celebrating today: we hope your day was lovely as well and we wish you a wonderful last week of 2020. May these last few days of this most unprecedented of years be a time of reflection and peace. xo