The Simple Things.

Today was all about getting back into routine. While it is so nice to be on break and out of routine for a time, it always feels good to get some structure and regularity back to our days. Today, my daughter headed back to first grade. After she left, my son and I crawled back into bed for some cuddle time and we both ended up falling asleep for another 2 hours. It felt SO GOOD to get some additional rest.....last night, we were kept up by 2 very noisy hamsters, who have now earned their way into sleeping in the bathroom with the door closed for the rest of their little lives! Those little critters can chew like you wouldn't believe....and they seem to be at least partially nocturnal. So, we'll set their cages in the bathtub for the night and see how it goes.

Tonight, I made my daughter's favorite porcupine meatballs for dinner (basically meatballs and rice). After dinner, we played a rousing make-believe game of "Littled Red Riding Hood", where Kennedy was Littled Red Riding Hood and I was the grandma/Big Bad Wolf....."the better to eat you with, my pretty!"......and we would run around the house, with them shrieking with laughter the whole way. I love that sound! We as parents have such power in our hands to make our kids' lives magical.....we just need to grasp those opportunities more often!

Tuck-in time tonight consisted of a rousing game of WAR followed by stories. I am now trying to get the last of the Christmas decor rounded up and packed back into my Christmas closet until next year. It never fails....just when I think I have it all, something else pops up and throws my organization scheme all to pieces. It's always a bit sad to pack everything away......but I know how quickly Christmas comes around again, so I certainly don't want to wish time away any faster than it goes all by itself.

Tomorrow brings a meeting and some family photos in the afternoon. Saturday brings an all-day crop, followed by a restful Sunday (hopefully). Coming on MOnday, I will introduce you to the "Anniversary Challenge" that my husband and I are doing.....should be good!