Over the River and Through the Woods

We have been going, going, going, and doing, doing, doing. School starts back up on Monday; books have been arriving in the mail, I have been making Morning Time plans, and today we cleaned house. We travelled the last two weekends - the holiday weekends. It has been good to not have to pack up and go again. But our holidays were very enjoyable, and just tiring enough to make you happy they're over, and normal life is resuming. Here's a list of Notable Things we did over the holidays, with pictures to follow. I would like to caption them all, and arrange them just so, but can't do it on my iPhone. Hope you enjoy anyway.

Notable Things We Did:

Celebrated Christmas at my Grandfather's home. He's 82, and going strong. I'm very thankful to still be celebrating Christmas Eve in his home, which I have done almost every Christmas Eve of my life.

Helped Mom and Dad around their place. I don't feel like I help them much, or can help much, so it's nice to really help them get some things done, and it wasn't just me. It was the whole family working together this time.

Made chicken crepes. This is a wonderful dish my mom started making after she was given Julia Child's cookbook. I got to see how she does it, and may even try to make it myself.

Made soap. This is our second time to make soap, and it has turned out great each time, thanks to our professional guide - Mom!

Visited Grandma. Just me and the kids. Joel doesn't particularly enjoy visiting the nursing home, but James and Jack love to visit Grandma. They talk to her, or communicate any way they can when she makes eye contact with them. Jack whispered to me while we were there, "I don't want Grandma to die." I think it's really special that he loves her so much.

Made pasta. I've wanted to make it with Joel ever since our pasta chapter in a "Science Lab in a Supermarket".
He did awesome at it!!! I'm keeping mom's pasta roller for as long ad she'll let me, or I finally get the pasta attachment for my KitchenAid.

Oh yes. We also made Rudolph clothespin ornaments. And we danced and sang and drank hot chocolate and hung stockings and made merry.

We wept over the death of Robin Hood. The end of that book was literally a tear jerker. Incredible story. And the best part is, he was a real man, a truly noble man, who really lived.

Hope all of you had a good holiday as well.