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Catching Up... A Busy and Fun-filled Weekend

By Melissa Markham on December 17, 2007 5:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Saturday morning we were up early and on our way to town. Jack and Katrina had a piano Christmas recital to perform in. It is always so much fun to go and see the children ages 7-17 dressed in their Christmas finery and playing their holiday music. When the songs were done, Mrs. Booth, the teacher, handed out a paper with four Christmas songs on it for us all to sing together. That was fun for all of us. Nothing better to get one in the holiday frame of mind.

Next she gave each of the children a small gift bag that contained a musical note ornament, a candy cane, a mint, and a postcard from a trip she had made to Williamsburg. Then there was the reception. We ate a bit, chatted and visited with the other parents. I enjoyed watching Katrina sit and chat with the other girls and I overheard them complimenting one another on their clothes and shoes.

After the recital, we headed home and met the kidsitter from next door. We took care of a couple of things here at the house, then Daniel and I headed out into the nightmare that is known as last minute holiday shoppers...But first, Daniel surprised me with lunch at Panera bread. I love Panera bread and rarely get to eat there. I had a sourdough bowl filled with cheese and broccoli soup...and a mocha. I was warmed from the tip of my toes to the tip of my nose. Ahhhh....

Then it was out into the thick of things...bumper to bumper traffic. Aisles stuffed with people. First stop was Toys R Us. I was able to find the items Jack wanted easily. Two of the things I was looking for there for Katrina were sold out.... So then it was time to make some substitutions

Our stop at the Dollar store left me amazed...There were items that had been dropped in the floor, and in general the store looked like a mess! I found what I needed there pretty quickly and headed on. We stopped at Game Stop, Hallmark, Barnes and Noble and then we had to go to Wal-mart. I tried very hard not to go there, but the things that Katrina wanted were elusive and wouldn't you know it, that was where I found them!

By then, I was tuckered out and my feet were aching. We headed home and got here about 6. We hid the gifts in our office across the street, then settled in at the house and watched The 300. I wasn't really sure I wanted to watch it, but I found it to be quite good.

Yesterday, we had Sunday School and church. At our church, we turned in the Christmas cards last week and then this week they had all been sorted and were handed out to us. It was really neat getting so many Christmas cards at once and we saved a ton on postage!

Yesterday afternoon, I wrapped presents and made pineapple casserole for our Christmas dinner with Daniel's family. We had a lovely time. My stepson, Bruce, provided a most delectable ham. It was the best part of the whole meal. We ate, chatted, sang Happy Birthday to Paul (Daniel's uncle) and Jack (our son). Then we handed out presents. I got a lovely kit for working on my feet from my sister-in-laws family...all kinds of wonderful peppermint lotions and potions. I also got a 20.00 gift certificate from Bruce and Ryan (Bruce's roommate) and my husband's cousin gave us a lovely coffee table book about Georgia O'Keefe.

We all pitched in and cleaned up the rented room and then headed out into the howling winds. Some more Christmas rituals completed, some more time enjoyed with family. More memories made and shared.

I hope you had a fantastic weekend.