Thursday, December 30, 2010

What Did You Get for Christmas?

Christmas did come and go, and it was wonderful!  All the children were here except one who is deployed as an Army Chaplain outside the US right now.  (We did have the privilege of talking with him on Christmas Day.)  And of course the New Boy charmed us all with his infectious laughter and funny speeches. 

Since it is Friday, it's Fave Five time.  The last FFF of 2010.  Susanne is hosting, as usual, at her blog.

1. Airport Runs.The anticipation of meeting loved ones in front of the Burbank Airport made the drives back and forth worth it!  Sometimes we drove in the sunshine


and sometimes in the rain. 
(If you are an Anamaniacs fan, you might recognize the Warner Bros. tower in the background of this photo.  There really is a real tower.)

2. The New Boy is currently obsessed with cars, busses, trucks and trains.  Nothing is better in his opinion than a Thomas the Tank Engine book, shirt, or dvd.  His Bapa and Meema gave him this train book


3. and the promise of a real live train ride, which he received on Tuesday.


4.  Reading books with The New Boy.  Ginger.  Where the Wild Things Are.  Ookie-Spooky.  In the Forest.  Tikki Tikki Tembo.  The Mitten.

5.  Lunch with my daughter, a friend and her daughter.  so. much. fun.

Tonight is New Year's Eve.  I think we're staying home and recovering quietly from a very busy and happy Christmas Week.  What are you doing?

21 comments:

Tracy said...

Oh, how sweet is that New Boy...and his love of books and all things on wheels! We're slowly emerging from being wonderfully wrapped up in the holiday spirit and glow. We'll be home for New Year's Eve as usual. We like to be home with our kitty Charlie, as he hates the sound of fireworks going off around here. We have some bubbly in the fridge chilling for some excitement though. ;o) I'm looking forward to the New Year! Wishing you & yours much PEACE, LOVE & JOY in 2011, Willow!! ((HUGS))

Cindy said...

You have taken me back many years with your story reading to new boy this week. I read Tikki Tikki Tembo to my daughter so many times, even today she can tell the story from beginning to end, so funny.
He looks so excited reading about cars and trucks, and on his train ride. Happy New Year

Dorothy said...

New Boy's happiness shows so clearly in those pics, Willow! Such fun!

We'll be home for a peaceful New Year's Eve too! Wishing you and yours much joy and contentment in the New Year!

Faith said...

great list and what an adorable boy! (I take it he is a grandson??). We too are staying home after a somewhat lazy week...although we had something going on every.single.evening. Mainly involving teenagers...lol...we are having our good friends/neighbors over for a late dinner and board game and then they are getting their 10 year old into bed and it will just be the 4 of us. Tomorrow the tree comes down and life gets back to normal!

Jerralea said...

I think you had the perfect holiday, Willow! I totally loved reading to my girls when they were little. I hope to be able to do that with grands someday as well. One book I loved reading to them was "Is Your Mama a Llama?" Such fun rhyming words! If you can, find a copy of that to read to the New Boy. I bet he'd love it.

roxie said...

You know, I still love to be read to. And I've never read Tiki Tiki Tembo. Maybe I can get you to read it to me some time.

Looks like a splendid holiday. god bless you, every one!

New Year's Eve, the neighbor fires off his shotgun, Kyle and I wake up, kiss each other, and go back to sleep. Very OLD school party.

Anonymous said...

How lovely it is to have your New Boy with you and celebrate with your family. Happy new year, Willow.

Kari said...

great list Willow - I love that anticipation of meeting/picking up at the airport.
We also enjoy the books that your new boy is enjoying - and my JJ loves Thomas too.

Susanne said...

A real train trip for the New boy. He must have been totally thrilled.

Many blessings for 2011!

ellen b. said...

Wonderful recap of your Christmas fun Willow. Love the photos of New Boy...

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Have a marvelous time of rest and recovery from your wonderful Christmas activities! All the best to you and the Professor for 2011.

What am I doing today you ask? Preparingg a New Year's Eve Day feast of baked beans, potato salad, to go with a luscious Honey Baked Ham; at 9 pm we'll lift a glass of something bubbly as we watch the ball drop in Time Square to ring in the New Year.

You have blessed us with fun, laughter and many other good things through your blog in 2010, and I look forward to continuing our friendship in 2011.

Reflection Through The Seasons said...

Hello Dear Willow.... Happy New Year to you and yours. How lovely to glimpse that California sunshine in your post, it truly warmed my heart as I dream of spring and sunny days. Blessings - Marion

Brenda said...

I'm sure you could go on and on about things to be thankful for when you are with family, I know I could.

Love seeing the tower, I am a fan of Anamaniacs :)

Marg said...

And you are obviously obsessed with that little New Boy of yours. Blessings to you too Linda in the New Year. We enjoyed an evening with friends that we have maintained relationships for over 40 years. That sounds ancient...but it was wonderful.

Deb said...

Happy New Year ! Being a lover of books and children, I enjoyed seeing how you have surrounded your grandson with wonderful literature. 'The Mitten' is one of my favorites. My twin grandsons love trains, trucks and cars also. Glad you have a holiday filled with love. Take care.

Bethany said...

Happy New Year Willow!!!! It sounds like you had a great Christmas! We quietly rang in the new year at home last evening and slept in late, catching up on sleep from visiting my family over the past week. You made me smile with the list of children's books. Tikki Tikki Tembo was one of my favorites! I wish for you a wonderfully creative and productive 2011... full of love!

Lisa notes... said...

I love watching airport reunions. Glad you were able to have some. Sounds like you had a fun week with family and friends.

Thanks for leaving your comment on my blog about when your daughter was a TA at Biola. It helps me to hear personal stories like that, knowing that contributions like my dad’s can make a difference.

Happy New Year!
Lisa

Barbara said...

THE NEW BOY IS SO, SO LIKE HIS GRANDMA!

Elizabeth said...

What fun to enjoy life with THE NEW BOY!
Our new boy delights us too
nothing like a child to lift one's spirits.
Wishing you and your family a happy and blessed
2011
love
e

Kiti said...

Hey, Willow, you need to share the story of the lovely lady on the bus who gave up her seat for the New Boy.

Kiti said...

Also, I would like to highlight the fact that Willow is the coolest mom ever: Not only does she know and love Animaniacs, but she goes out of her way to identify and photograph their water tower.

Word verification is "blesse"--obviously, Blogger can tell that we are counting our blessings at this time!