Big Weekend!

We're drawing closer to Christmas and this weekend couldn't have been more busy. The first of two Christmas parties was held at our friend's house, the Leone's, Saturday night. The second at our neighbor's house. Taylor was an angel at both, occupying herself with plate after plate of appetizers during boring conversations, but proved capable of impressing the adults with her maturity and charm whenever she spoke.
Though the Steelers were in town to thump the Panthers, we already had tickets to see the Nutcracker Ballet w/ the Charlotte Symphony on Sunday. So, I put aside my Terrible Towel and washed off the face paint to make a great memory with my family. The music was wonderful and Taylor was introduced to the ballet in a beautiful theater. Unfortunately, our seats were right next to the only kid in the theater that was terrified by the Mouse King and, therefore, wore earmuffs. Not furry, pink, cold weather earmuffs; no, I'm talking about "keep out the Mouse King's cries of death" hearing protection earmuffs. He repeatedly whined, "Iiiiii'mmmm scaaaarrrrred....Iiiii'vvvvee got to go to the baaaaaattthhhroom." I think we found the Nutcracker fairy....he was sitting in Balcony, Row A, seat 216 beside me.

Moving on, we had another reason to celebrate this weekend. During our per-marital counseling, Amanda Faye discussed her desire to be re-baptized. Sunday, we went forward
and Kent, our minister, baptized her. It was nice to have so many new faces from the congregation congratulating and welcoming her, making her truly feel a part of the "body". (I'd prepared her for cold water, saying the CoC is old school and she was lucky they weren't taking her to a creek in December. She was happily surprised to find otherwise.)
As if I didn't have enough reasons to be proud of her, she added one more.

Our first tree!

Taylor, Amanda Faye and I bought our first tree two weekends ago and had fun setting it up. My job was carrying it in, set up, water, and lighting. The girls decorated it together and Taylor placed the angel on top. We used my ornaments that I've used the last three years, though Mandy said she was afraid of what I was going to pull out of the box...some string tinsel, white fur covered styrofoam balls perhaps, or last year's popcorn string. To her surprise, she approved and said she would've bought the same ornaments given the choice. I gave the credit to my sister, Karen, because they're really all her old ones from her white house in Va, even the angel and stockings! We may have to start enhancing them with some new ornaments, as three years and four moves takes a toll on glass balls.

The tree was 7' tall before trimming the top, for proper angel height, and the base, to allow water absorption. Speaking of which, I'll give those reading my blog a hint on keeping your tree drinking water longer. I've not heard anyone else confirm this, so you've heard it first here: using hot water prevents the tree sap from hardening, thus allowing more absorption.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone! Travel safely and enjoy the season!