Day after..

 We had a lovely Christmas in spite of the remodeling.

The tree didn’t get decorated until Christmas Eve but Frank and I worked hard to pull it all together. Money is exceptionally tight this year but we managed. I did all the shopping. Frank did all the wrapping. We spent Christmas Eve night at my brother’s. Mildly miserable experience. We learned a valuable lesson about gift-giving for Q: make sure cars and trucks are involved somehow. He and Cam were SO excited to go to my brother’s for Christmas "dochas" (gifts). Imagine his chagrin when all he opened was art supplies, a movie, and a toy cash register more appropriate for an 18 month old. His little  face was crestfallen when he realized that was all he was getting. "Where are my other presents?" he asked with alarm and great sadness in his voice. I nearly cried for him and I was the one who suggested art supplies when my sister asked what he wanted/needed for gifts. 

Q kicked the driver’s seat sullenly most of the ride home. "Stupid Christmas," he muttered gloomily from time to time. "Stupid presents! I wanna give them all back!" Frank and I both promised each other we’d make sure he’d never experience a disappointment like that again. A 97 cent matchbox car would’ve made all the difference. Stupid Mama.

His faith in the goodness of the world and the holidays was restored on Christmas Day. He received a new train table (that took Frank 3 good sleeping hours to assemble), a Dream Lite penguin, a new blanket, and more cars and trucks than he could imagine..plus a new helicopter. Cam got a new leggo table, a huge pile of leggos, a Buzz Lightyear spaceship, a firetruck, a fisher price zoo, a dream lite puppy, a new blanket, and other various boy toys. They were happy and played nicely for hours.

There was even time for a nap while the boys laid down. Before that, Dustin came over for breakfast (a sausage, apple, cheese, and egg casserole I made in my "easy bake oven" –really a convection/toaster oven) at his request. We even had mimosas! I had a bottle of sparkling wine I’d forgotten about in the  wine fridge. Dustin found it and asked if we could have it with our orange juice. I am sure the mimosas made the nap more delicious.

Later, Frank cooked the duck i’d bought and made an orange/caramel sauce to go with it alongside asparagus and potatoes. Cam asked for at least 3 servings of the duck!

Today I worked, I learned I have more to learn. Frank installed more of the beautiful warm brown bamboo floor. It looks rich and inviting, I want to hug it. I am already shopping for a large new area rug.

The cabinets are due to arrive tomorrow. Egads, I hate the work and mess. Cannot wait for the end results. 

Watching a program on the Galapagos Islands as I type. I’m hungry to learn more.