The weather outside was frightful, at least for a while. It's been a long time since I saw the thermometer read 2 degrees. But it did, and hovered there for a while. It didn't deter three intrepid boys and their little sister from trying to play in the snow though. And, when it did snow again, it was a little warmer and more fun outside. But the lake froze, the stream behind the house froze, and my toes froze.
But no complaints. We had hoped for snow for Christmas, and we got it. Not too much. Good enough for some sledding. Then it really warmed up, and all the snow went away. Until today.
Joe and his family were first to arrive, leaving DC at around 4 in the morning to get here by mid-day Saturday. Margaret and her family came up the next day, the same day that Joe drove to Boston to pick up Annie whose flight from India was on time!
As was probably true chez vous, there was some excitement and lots of speculation about Santa – his arrival, the fireplace, the toys on the floor that might cause him to trip, the reindeer tracks, the cookies and carrots, the letters. Oh, we also went to church Christmas Eve, and that too added to the overall excitement.
Christmas Day was predictable: surprises, chaos, gasps of wonder, paper, and then serious "some assembly required" work. All fun.
Mary spent a lot of time in the kitchen preparing meals; Leonor made her duck rice dish for Christmas Eve, and Annie added her own vegan recipes.
These days remind me of Pomfret when we all descended (ascended?) after Christmas and the same pandemonium and fun reigned over the house. Pop always wrote about how special those days were, wishing that when we were grandparents we would be able to experience the same. The contrast with the normal quiet in the house is welcome.
Some other highlights – nice to see Simon and John playing so well together; nicer to hear the pleases and thank yous, especially directed at Mimi/Avo Mary; nicest to have quiet time for naps for Baba/Avo John (and a few others as well); fun to go swimming and to the movies to see Sonic (Joe said the book was better); funner to sneak in some excursions to Dunkin Donuts, Panera's and our favorite pizza place; and funnest to play with Luisa's karaoke microphone present … that she will be taking home with her.
Yesterday, it was a return to quiet, as Joe and family did a reverse early am departure. Margaret and Andrew and Simon had already left on Saturday, braving an ice storm which we hope had turned to rain; and Annie escaped to go to Boston to visit friends. Hmm, she doesn't want to spend New Year's Eve as 5 Hancock.
Worthy of mention as well was Joe's detour on his way back from Providence to see a friend from St. Andrews. Where did the detour take him? 233 Pomfret Street, and he knocked on the door, and the Huoppis invited him in. He said that they mentioned a few times they were pondering putting the house on the market. Any buyers?
I hope the Dickson brothers' families all had as wonderful a Christmas as we did, with lots of joy and laughter and togetherness and marvel and singing and stepping on toys and puzzles and games. Speaking of games, did you know that Thomas cheats at Trouble? So do Simon and John. ( Maybe me too.) They have totally adopted the Vince Lombardi approach – winning is everything.
So, New Year's means resolutions. Got any?? I do. Or at least did. Maybe I'll do an every day but New Year's Day resolution. Let's see how long I can keep it.
Today is my sister Ann's birthday. She would be 72. She always complained about her birthday being too close to Christmas, that people just held over their Christmas gifts for her birthday. Joe didn't complain, though since he probably got extra presents when we celebrated in Pomfret, with everyone there.
With that, love from up here.
