No Rest for the Weary Travelers

My mom and dad are here this weekend for a whirlwind tour of their grandchildren’s many programs and events. And just in case they weren’t satiated by Olivia’s piano recital yesterday, they had three additional offerings on this day: Olivia’s participation in the UU holiday play, Reed’s Christmas concert, and O’s dance recital.

Sweet Piano

Olivia with Margaret, her inimitable piano teacher

Today was the day that Olivia swore would never happen: that of her first piano recital. She was so resistant to the idea at first that she threatened to go on strike. But then she started warming to it when she realized she’d be able to wear a fancy outfit and sparkly shoes, and that we’d serve snacks to our guests and performer afterward. She even composed and performed “Angel Stars” for the occasion.

Clean House

Grandma Randi was on bath duty tonight, giving both Beni and me a respite from this hyper-charged (hyper-churned?)—and often highly chaotic and sometimes stressful—daily routine.

Just Duet

Reed lends a hand—or two—to Olivia as she practices for her upcoming recital.

No Time Like the Present(s)

Reed and his partner played beat-the-clock as they stuffed a sack full of gifts and delivered the goods to the holiday-party volunteers across the way before time ran out. And just as the Marriott corporation extended my gold-elite status for another year even though I fell a couple hotel stays short of the requisite number, those working the game were similarly charitable when granting Reed a prize even though he and his partner got to the other side after the timer had hit zeroes.

Strictly for the Beards

The Christmas parade rolled through town, with Mr. and Mrs. Claus serving as the grand marshals atop the bucket of a fire truck. Reed passed on the opportunity to sit on the jolly one’s lap, but he and his sister found comfort on the lap of another prominent bearded fellow.

Escape Claus

Santa gave us an early demonstration of the fleetness he possesses when delivering gifts to children around the world on Christmas Eve. One minute he’s posing for pictures with the kid; the next he’s competing in a game of sidewalk chess.

Pig(skin)headed

Reed paired his favorite sweater—the one featuring a digger—with his favorite winter cap.

Elf Hatred

With Thanksgiving in our rear-view window, we have this to look forward to now:

The Elf on the Shelf is a misnomer. He doesn’t stay on the shelf at all. In fact, he flies back to the North Pole every night when the kids are asleep, reporting to Santa whether Olivia and Reed have been naughty or nice. He then returns to our house and camps out in a different spot each morning, waiting to be discovered. I can’t say much beyond that without being accused of being a Grinch given that this tradition brings our kids a lot of holiday joy, but it’s nice to know that there are other parents out there who are as elfish and peevish as we are.

Into the Wind(y City)

We took on the toddling town of Chicago (I’ll say it again—Chicago—for Frank’s sake) with our toddler in tow. Aunt Liz joined us as we made our way to the Lincoln Zoo and the Christkindlmarket. Highlights included the 3D lights, a giraffe spotting, cookie decorating, singing German carols, and feasting on Bavarian pretzels.

Ride Away

Grumpy dwarf made way for Sleepy once the wheels of our vehicle resumed rotating in the direction of our destination.

You’ve Got Another Thank(s) Coming

Our kids are a constant reminder of why we should be especially thankful—and especially so on this day of giving thanks. The two of them gave us thanks (taped on fridge) and provided thankful reminders (written on chalkboard) as part of their pre-Thanksgiving meal activities, adding to all that they constantly give us in the form of laughs, hugs, kisses, and shared life experiences.