three hundred and forty four

We had a lovely visit to the Enchanted Village today!

We toured the village, as we have in years past, but the girls were most excited to try out the new indoor skating rink. We had been seeing and hearing commercials for the Enchanted Ice and were interested in their claim that we could leave our coats behind. What kind of magic, warm ice could this be?

It turned out to be an artificial ice made of plastic that you can skate on! The girls grabbed skates and went round and round the rink. They couldn’t get as much glide as on real ice, but I think they had a great time.

three hundred and forty three

Lest anyone think we live in a crafting utopia, here are the remains from a spectacularly failed Christmas project.

Both girls were so good. They helped collect all the supplies and went through each step patiently with me. But halfway through we all knew it was going to be a bust.

I was impressed at their sense of humor, their attempts to salvage even part of the project and, especially, their willingness to call it a day when it was clear that all was lost.

The project was a failure, but our time spent together was definitely not.

three hundred and forty two

Esme and I both have parts in our Christmas Pageant next week. Peter snapped this cute pic from rehearsal today.

Angels and sheep and shepherds everywhere!

Come and hear Esme sing a sweet little solo! Next Sunday, 10am, Dane Street Church, Beverly.

three hundred and forty one

I enjoyed a quiet day today to work on and finish any number of Christmas related tasks. All the same, I was happy to have some small fingers come home to help with the wrapping paper printing.

One little spot, all done up for Christmas.

three hundred and thirty nine

This was probably the smallest activity of the day, but mailing our Christmas cards themselves was what they were most excited about!

three hundred and thirty eight

We haven’t quite found the right place for it in our new house, but I’m glad to have our little tree out and dusted off for the Christmas season.

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three hundred and thirty six

We found this fellow in the middle of our street this afternoon. He was unfazed by the approach of our car as he guarded his grey squirrel prey. After a couple of failed take off attempts, he grabbed his squirrel and flew to the side of the road. That’s where I was able to snap this pic.

By comparing the photo to others on the internet we concluded that it was a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk. This wikipedia page has lots of information and a few other photos. If you scroll down you’ll see one of a hawk eating a grey squirrel. That is almost exactly what we saw today.

The girls felt pretty bad for the poor squirrel, but were amazed to see the bird up close.

three hundred and thirty five

When I was eight I lost a good friend in the most horrible way possible. She was seven. Today marks the day, 26 years later.

She crosses my mind still, sometimes frequently, sometimes only sporadically.

Many times this past year I have been reminded of her- things people say, an old picture, certain little actions- I have been surprised at the number of things that have brought her to mind. And specifically this year.

A moment of reflection and I saw the connection. Catherine is seven.

She is seven and I am keenly aware of the fragility of life.