Tis the season..

ahhh, Christmas. a time when families gather for reflection, remembrance, and giving. a time for gaudy blinking lights, off key carolling, and aerosol snow. and for some, a time for snooping around trying to sneak peeks at their gifts (unfortunately, i am not referring to the children)

i was able to catch jen and sissy on christmas morn attempting to listen in on secret gift wrapping conversation with mj's Super Top Secret Spy Listening Device. luckily, due to advancing toy technology, the girls couldn't figure out how to work the STSSLD and their diabolical attempt was foiled. despite their utter failure, i felt this action warranted the blotting of their names from a certain Nice List and a very prominent addition to the other list..
the kids, on the other hand, were very good. a few volunteered to help Nana with the cookie baking while others circled the christmas tree looking (no touchy!) for their names on presents.
after lunch, the mirth and merriment really began as the kids attacked the tree like a band of blurry, little tasmanian devils. hours of painstaking gift wrapping and bow placement was ripped to shreds amidst the high-pitched squeals of glee and elation. and as the dust and tinsel settled, every toy had been set free from its paper prison.
after the kids had their turn, the adults stepped up to plunder the tree. and with the same fervor, we shucked paper from presents like a fat kid at a corn eating contest. i came up with not five; but six packages of boxer briefs (various patterns and colors; but no animal prints..drats.) and a very convincing likeness of jen and me as cardboard toilet roll people. kudos to sarah who put alot of time and effort taping cotton swabs, paper clothes, and one real hair to her homemade gift.
after all gifts had been opened and the food given another good mauling, we brought to a close another christmas. diets may have been neglected, and kids may have stayed up past bedtimes; but we had a good time and made some pretty good memories. my next step is to initial my new wardrobe of boxer briefs (to keep christian from taking them) and to find a place to exhibit my toilet roll dolls..