a very merry

What awaited us in the living room this morning. Looks like the jolly fat man did his job!











J, in the process of assembling his favorite gift, the Lego Agents set he asked Santa for. Note all the presents still in the background -- my kids like to take their time with the gifts, thoroughly examining (and sometimes building and playing with) each gift as they come to it before feeling ready open another. (In fact, Zoo Boy discovered a pack of Pokemon cards in his stocking and insisted on reading all of them before even thinking about opening any gifts.) It makes for a really nice, relaxed day -- so long as we don't have to go anywhere else. This year, as is typical for us, we did not, spending a quiet day here at home by the fire instead.


Zoo Boy and his favorite gift, the Monkey Magnet set he asked Santa for. (Monkey Magnets are basically magnetic tangrams). Santa also brought him another Ugly Doll (remember Zoo Bat from last year?) that he decided last minute that he HAD to have -- this one is "Ugly Worm" and is a green worm with one eye. A bit taken aback, J asked "You like something that only has one eye?" Zoo Boy hugged his beloved creature to him and said "Of course! He's mine, and I love him. It doesn't matter at all to me that he only has one eye!"


The boys play with the Playmobil castle/knights set that Santa brought for them. I had really been hoping to get them a lovely heirloom quality wooden castle play set, but finances being what they are this year, we had to make due with plastic. Truly, it's a nice set and the kids could care less that it's not what I had in mind. All they know is that there's hours of fun to be had storming the castle, slaying the dragon, and protecting the treasure.

And what Christmas would be complete without a visit from Tom "Santa" Brady? (Again, this sort of thing only shows up here to make my friend Christine laugh, so if you don't "get" it, don't worry! Merry Christmas, Christine!!)

My fervent wish is that all of my friends, family and various random readers have experienced as much peace, joy, and love as we have today. Our gifts were a bit on the light side this year, but were given with as much thought and love and meaning as any token of affection anywhere.

A very merry holiday to you all!