Santa's Homeboys

HO HO HO...Christmas is a go at our house! The spirit of the season is alive and livelier since winter break kicked into gear after an early-release day in the local elementary schools.

Last night I was unexpectedly treated to an evening of peace and quiet as the boys were treated to a night on the town with two young teachers that I work with (posing as angels) who kidnapped the boys to give me a break and them some fun! Talk about great friends!!

They went to see "The Tale of Despereaux" , then capped the evening's fun with a trip to a local mall. Brave girls, these friends of mine! But then, they are fantastic special education teachers. Fantastic and fearless!

The above photo of Santa and his homeboys was a gift to Trish and me. Loved it! Loved my time to piddle and putter around the house alone for the evening. The boys loved my friends and their night on the town. They behaved, followed directions and a good time was had by all.

Tonight was our annual viewing of Christmas lights. We grab some fast food and toured the neighborhoods known for spectacular lights and decorations. A friend that I work with has a house that is famous for its amazing light display set to music. Her husband is a musician, a very talented musician, I might add! He works on the display off and on year round. There are some 81,000 lights. It is truly something to behold! People stop and they serve hot chocolate. They also collect donations for soldiers and their families. My friend was featured on Good Morning Texas last week.

We stopped, visited with some of my friends, drank hot chocolate, then moved on to other displays and other neighborhoods. This was the first year that the boys held it together ( for the most part) the entire time. Usually, there's a meltdown by someone at some point with an abrupt and ugly end to what started out with good cheer and high spirits. After a couple of hours the back seat was becoming a battle ground of feet in a brother's seat and other personal space violations. We decided not to press our luck and end this year on a high note.

I plan to enjoy my several weeks of no alarm clock. My oldest grandson flies up from San Antonio for a week on the 26th. He got his learner's permit this summer. I've promised to let him drive home from the airport. This will be a new experience. I can't believe he's old enough (15) to drive! Time really flies. Seems it was only yesterday that I was driving to Temple ( half-way between San Antonio and Dallas ) to pick him up and bring him back --in his car seat--to stay for a few weeks.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my friends and family! It would be perfect if only the rest of the country would SHARE some of its SNOW with me!!!!