The Best Kind of Weekend

We had the only thing we need to make it a good weekend...our family was all together! Never mind that our receiver took a dump, leaving us sans surround sound. Nora put it best when she called things like these pleasant problems. We've really lucked out this holiday season with having Dylan at home to join in on most of the festivities. We'll both hit the ground running the day after Christmas working overtime, but we won't think about that right now.

On Saturday, I found myself in line at the post office precisely at 9am, just as the gates were opening. Right where you want to be the Saturday before Christmas, right? I, the person who thought she was so ahead of the game with gift-buying, still had to ship out our box of gifts to our out-of-state family. The problem was that the final package containing gifts that I had ordered showed up on Friday, but it was brought back to the post office for me to pick up. So, I claimed my box on Saturday morning, went out to the car, wrapped gifts for 20 minutes out of the trunk of my car, packaged up my outgoing parcel, and marched back inside to send it on its way. Ha, what a putz. That darn box had better make it to its destination before Christmas!

But it was smooth sailing from there. At least for me. I finished my running around and fit in a work-out, while Dylan and Gavin hit up Target and Cool Cuts for Kids (or something like that). Gavin had a meltdown while simultaneously receiving a haircut. I don't do well in situations like that, so luckily Mr. Cool As A Cucumber was the parent on duty. After a nap for the smallest and crankiest member of our family, we cleaned up and went on over to the Meabons' house for a holiday party with a ton of our friends who we hadn't seen in far too long. A hearty Italian meal, a couple of festive beverages, some interrupted conversation, and at least a million little children. It was a night to remember. So much fun. Thanks for gathering the crew, Meabons! The best part was when I said good-bye to my 3-year-old nephew on my way out the door, and he responded with, "I love you." Or, rather, "I wuv you." Heart. Melted.

Checking out the tree before heading out to Dawn's

The obvious best place to push your car around

He has no manners

Hey dad, can I see?

Silly face

In line for the train at Highlands!

We caught the last ride before the service began

Awkward family photo

I kicked off Sunday morning by adorning my imaginary work gloves and hauled all of my books and stuff back into the office. Dylan had assembled new storage furniture, and things have started to look about 150% better in there than they did pre-tile. D took off on a bike ride, G settled down for a nap, and I put cookies in the oven and carols on Pandora. I added a jog to my afternoon agenda followed by the Christmas program at Highlands. It was not your typical low-budget church program, but involved a train ride, family photos with props, fake snow falling from the sky, kettle corn, and a band...just for the pre-party. The actual program was spectacular, but since it took place at Gavin's bedtime, we only stayed for half of it and grabbed a hot meal from AJs on the way home. That just about sums it up. A 5-star weekend to put down in the books!