Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas in Bristow, VA, with the Bissells




It's 9:00 and Christmas is over for the girls; the presents are opened, the various games/clothes/gadgets are spread all over the house and everyone seems happy with their morning.  The girls were amazing, excited over every gift they opened, as if it was just what they wanted.  Hayden's Ipod touch was the big gift for her, along with an Ipod station, various 'real girl' clothes, books, and pillow pets.  Halle's big present was a DS game/gadget, along with clothes, a Squinky, and a pillow pet.  She, too, is really excited about everything.  Drew's big gift to Jill was a Nikon camera; he got various shirts, jackets, books, things like that.

The egg casserole is in the oven; we are all hungry campers so we are just going to have to wait.  I don't think the girls care but Jill is hungry, as usual.  Hayden's upstairs with Evie, putting stickers we gave her on her walls, actual mirrors that you can place as you wish.  She is excited.

From The Writer's Almanac:



There's been a lot of advice from writers about Christmas. As for gifts, former Ladies' Home Journal editor Lenore Hershey advised: "Do give books — religious or otherwise — for Christmas. They're never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal."


Novelist Oren Arnold (books by this author) had the following Christmas gift suggestions: "To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect."


Journalist W. C. Jones wrote, "The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others' burdens, easing other's loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas."
Agnes Pharo said that Christmas is "tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace."


American writer Washington Irving (books by this author) famously said: "Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart."


And it was 19th-century American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (books by this author) who wrote:


"I heard the bells, on Christmas Day,
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

We actually have had some snow flakes this morning, though none have stuck on the ground.  The excitement level has mellowed and the girls are now playing with their games or Barbies.  Hayden laid out all of her new clothes on her bed before deciding which to wear for the day; then, she put everything away in its place, as here room is always immaculate, a bit different from Halle's though she, too, is getting more conscious of keeping her room picked up.  I wonder who this comes from?  Jill? Drew? Granny?  Certainly not Baba!

Relaxing afternoon, with the  girls spending time on their gadjets, downloading music and taking pictures, and watching UP, a Disney movie on Netflix.  Now I'm watching the Lakers and Heat, as the prime rib smells fill the room.  Just cut the brussell sprouts off the three foot stalk, Evie's got the popover mix ready to go, and all will be done around 6:15.  It's been mostly cloudy all day, though my walk was invigorating, a bit cold but it felt good and there was little wind.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

A great dinner, especially the popovers, some after dinner conversation (my new strategy), some Apples to Apples, to please Hayden, then off to bed for the kiddies.  I hope we have the energy to watch a movie but I doubt it.  


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