This Reminds Me

Christmas is over.  The girls and I spent the morning de-decorating – always a little sad to remove the lights, colors and memories from view.  Rachel and I read the cards and letters one last time before pulling out pictures and checking for address updates.  I love Christmas communiques – the more clever, newsy and/or festive, the better.

Yesterday:  A Tinkerbell-topped wonder of kids’ crafts, science fair ribbons, spelling bee medals, volleyball pins, homemade garlands, ornaments and candy canes.

Today:  Just another assembly-required box under the stairs.  Keith’s job is to get the tree put up and taken down.  Cool enough for long sleeves today – nice!

Put away for another season:  Christmas Fiestaware, decorative goblets, Disney platters and serving bowls.   When I first saw the Christmas Fiestaware in 1996, I wanted it soooo badly, but couldn’t justify a purchase.  Keith had to convince me to buy some, and I am so glad he did.  No other Christmas “thing” makes me as happy as getting these dishes out. and I do so the day after Thanksgiving.  Note the paper Nativity in the middle of the table.  Julia made it in Sunday School this year but dozens of meal splatters doomed it – I didn’t save it.  Keith built our kitchen table, BTW, from floor boards of a tear-down house in Houston.

Julia understood a lot more about Christmas this year – where we go, what we do, whom we see – just what to expect.  Last week – completely on her own – she started reciting her expectations for summer – “We will go see Sarah, and Granny and Grandpa, and we’ll go to the beach and Fiesta Texas and the pool.”  The familiarity of home is all about expectations.  She knows what to expect.  She’s home.

Tomorrow, it’s back to work for Keith and me.  (Sigh)  Just a few hours of “holiday” left.  It’ll be awhile before I get to hum “Carol of the Bells” again, or make caramel corn.  Better start thinking about 2008 – Rachel will be a senior later this year, and Lois will start high school.  Hannah wants to try drama, and Julia is making noises about a bigger bike.  I’ve got a long list of books I want to read, and Keith has some ideas for the pond.  Hey – sound like it could be a….