Boxing Day

I love Boxing Day.

As a child it seemed a bit sad, that post-Christmas let down. But since the littles came along we happily host the Christmas festivities. I enjoy the planning, the baking, the decorating. It gets my creative juices flowing. Christmas, however, is not a holiday.

And that is why I love Boxing Day. On Boxing Day I do as little as possible.

It is a free-for-all, fending for yourself sort of a day. We graze and lounge. We play with new toys and stay in our pajamas for as long as we want.

There is no cleaning or cooking on Boxing Day.

I slept in and read half a book over cafe au lait this morning, played dolls and painted a t-shirt with Anna, assembled a small portion of Jack's mountain of new Lego. We made popcorn and watched the Food Network (I've been deprived of it for several months now, due to our odd TV set up. So T fixing it for me on Christmas Eve, was indeed a Christmas miracle.).

So while it's back to reality tomorrow, tonight I enjoy a few more hours of post-Christmas bliss.

(The aftermath.)

Silent Night

"Silent night, holy night.

All is calm, all is bright."

As usual the hustle and bustle of the season got away on us. So many ways to make merry, and the urge to try them all.

But this night is my favourite. Nothing more to be done, the day is upon us. So I curl up and watch my favourite holiday movie, "Miracle on 34th St." and have a nibble of Santa's snack (shhhh....don't tell the littles). A quiet evening before the explosion of joy that the morning will bring.

Holly Jolly

Oh good golly, the littles are jolly. December was welcomed with wide open arms and even bigger smiles at a very early hour.

Who doesn't love having chocolate at breakfast? And this year, a new tradition. North Pole pancakes, as we have coined them. A short stack of fluffy buttermilk goodness topped off with a candy cane.

A frothy mug of vanilla steamed milk and we were ready to bring on a month of festive festivities. This past weekend did not disappoint and I will share soon. Until then, have a little chocolate and enjoy the ride.