Back To Normal

Jamie delivered her dad and step-mother to Atlanta's airport yesterday for their flight back to Wisconsin. Their departure means a return to normalcy for me. I might add that I don't feel the same way about Jason's parents (they are also from Wisconsin). Debbie - Jason's mom - is a hoot! Have you heard the expression "Laugh and the whole world laughs with you"? That pretty much describes Debbie - she has an infectious sense of humor and I genuinely enjoy being around her. Fortunately, she doesn't mind my being around either. When she comes to visit, I regularly invite myself to my daughter and SIL's home so I may also spend time with Debbie.

With the parentals on their way back to Wisconsin, I left work at noon and won't return again until next Monday. I will work another half day to process payroll, then I am off again until the New Year. Yippee! I was able to participate in Ayden's holiday party yesterday afternoon. Actually, I was the paparazzi while my daughter helped her 4-year-old son decorate a gingerbread house. This was a great idea that I plan to use in the years to come. Our local grocery store sells undecorated gingerbread house kits. The house comes preassembled in a cute protective box. The school provided a long work table at the perfect height for little tots. Placed on the table were plastic cups filled with yummy goodies perfect for decorating - gummy bears, red and green M&M's, brightly colored Sprees, miniature Oreo cookies, sugared gum drops were just a few of the treats. Each child was given a cup of white frosting as the backdrop for the decorations. They had tons of fun!

The kids put on an adorable program for the parents and grandparents. They sang traditional Christmas songs, such as Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer, and made use of bells as musical props. It was all just too cute!