Tag Archives: holidays
Market at Christmas
Some shots from Norwich at Christmas
. 
keep shining on
Tonight we were 'getting on track' again. That is what I said this morning when Daddy flew to the States. Since there would be no more movies with Dad this week and no more evening football games or events we were going to go to bed earlier and get up earlier.
And stuff like that.
We cleaned the house today. And played outside. And picked out some crafts to make this week. And ate soup with our leeks. And watched the first Christmas movie. And got out the advent wreath to light tomorrow. And said the St. Andrew novena. And a rosary. And read a story – or four.
And then. And then….. Instead of all that 'getting back on track" Moira and the little girls begged to reeeeaally quickly set up just that first small tree. Yes, the first. I have a few of them. As Dorcas Lane would say, "Christmas trees are my one weakness." (Do go watch the clip. It is a riot. I will wait here. ; ))
They chose the long coveted little white tree we snatched up for a pittance at the thrift shop this fall which will stand in Moira's room. She was so very excited and brought the little girls up to help her assemble it. At the bottom of the box was a long strand of twinkly white lights which miraculously all still worked. Out they came too.
This is as far as we got when Daddy called to say he landed. It truly was past time for bed. We will get back on track another night. There is hot chocolate to be stirred and lights to string and memories to be made.
It's going to be a great season.
Oh Christmas lights, light up the street
Light up the fireworks in me
May all your troubles soon be gone
Oh Christmas lights keep shining on.
– Coldplay
trick or treat
The house was aflutter all day with costume making for one and all. Or most <g>. There were last minute runs to the craft store and even more last minute costume changes. In the end everyone was delighted with their creation. Or most <g> We didn't have a well-planned Dad costume this year, but you'll see he did pull something together for trick or treating.
This is always a silly family affair. We tend to make big plans for the following year while we wander the neighborhood with the children. Without fail we are scrambling the hours before that next holiday anyway. Still, it is a blast.
I was thinking as we walked tonight of all the angst of Halloween's past. It was one of those things we didn't think twice about early on, filled as we were with Peanut's style memories of masquerades and jack-o-lanterns from our own childhood. Then we were introduced to the myriad (strong) opinions on the subject as we moved around the country. To costume or not. Yes. No. Only as saints. Only at church. And every variation in between. Some years I did multiples of those things and made saint AND secular costumes. And nearly lost my mind. Add to that the new debates about fair trade chocolate and HFCS and you have dilemmas that rank right up there with epidural or no-meds, home or school, and bangs or no bangs in the hierarchy of parental decision making.
I don't envy young parents. There are a lot of things to sort out. I am not the person to pretend to know what is best for any other family. For us, though, it was a Peanut's style Halloween complete with plenty of Charlie Brown moments as usual.
The days are rapidly shortening and we had our time change last weekend. (I was on it because the BBC radio man kindly alerted me to "check your timepiece" and we did) All that means it was getting dark when Moira got home from her class at 4ish and it was pitch black by the time we left. So no Germany style sidewalk pictures this year. We snapped a few at home before we headed out though. (and roughly edited to include more less radiator. Agh they were bugging me)
In this year's Halloween performance credits, Mom's name goes under wardrobe and Moira is listed under makeup artist. She was brilliant. And fast. And the little girls made it all night without their faces running. Let's hear it for real face paint instead of Mom's makeup bag. <g> I am always amazed at the difference it makes to have the right stuff. So much of my life I try to muddle through without and it doesn't always save time or money.
Ok I was really REALLY happy with B's costume. I am still laughing. The wind blew so hard he lost parts of his beard as we went but still. He was so darn cute.
Kieran is ten, which means he still wants to trick or treat but he is now old enough to be self-conscious about wanting to trick or treat. Dressing up as a grown up (Someone pegged him as Jim from The Office ; )) seemed to help him reconcile the whole thing with himself.
The sugar plum fairies. I wish I had a better shot of their wings. Do you hear that husband? I need a wider angle lens my dear….
Aidan is 13, which means he is old enough to now think its cool to dress up, as long as you dress up in something cool. Like this. And then perform for your candy.
This was actually a pretty big hit. : )
And Miss Moira who feels it is only right to make herself up a bit while escorting the fairies to the doorstep.
That would be her father photo bombing her.
Whether you are home or about on this All Hallow's Eve I hope you have a grand evening and laugh much.
Starry Sky Journal 