Christmas Cheer

Here it is seven days before Christmas. 

Friday night Matt took Jo and Coryn to a neighbor's yard up the road to pick out our Christmas tree. It stands in the sunroom, wrapped in white lights with a smattering of ornaments. Mallory keeps re-arranging the ornaments or removing them and depositing them in random nooks and crannies throughout the house. Thanks to Grandma Jo we can safely display (and play with) a wooden nativity set. And because of Coryn's request, Matt put out the Santa Train in the front yard. I did lug up from the basement a stack of bins full of miscellaneous holiday decor, but I think what we have out is enough. Less is more.   

After disinfecting the house last week, this week I've been going through closets and drawers and shelves. Organizing and de-cluttering. And then I came across this treasure:  

It is a note written by Coryn

dad I could 

do anything 

to make 

you 

Happy

Love Coryn

Last Thursday evening Jo and Cokes had their school Christmas concert. Grammy BB made sure the girls were dressed in festive attire. Before heading to the church we attempted to take our Christmas card photo. Ha.

The girls and their classmates sang their hearts out. And remarkably I didn't sob through the entire program. Probably because I was distracted by setting out food and drinks in the parish hall. Frosted Brownies + Cookie Bars + Ice Cream = Victory for the first post-Christmas concert reception.

Although the school Christmas concert usually steals my heart, I think its the runner-up this year. 

Yesterday Jo's class put on a Nativity play and sang carols at a nursing home. Coryn tagged along with the second graders, grabbed a song book and joined in singing too. I forgot to bring my camera. But I won't soon forget the elderly faces beaming with delight or the sound of voices young and old singing Frosty The Snowman together. Another mom shared this photo from her phone. And yes, that's Jo as Mother Mary.