In recovery

We are all in recovery this month.  JB's knee surgery went well last week and his recovery seems to be going as it should.  Who could be down with such fun kids around...all the time...pulling and prodding for attention...clambering up with books...  Well, we are trying not to be down.  Grandmommy's timely visit last week helped with that for sure.  

And the kids don't stop.  Below, they are re-discovering their toys after I re-organized them in the shelves.  That seems to be another thing that Christmas is all about.  

And then there was Christmas.  A wonderful one, but I would say we do need to recover somewhat from the stimulation of lights, trees, santas everywhere all the time.  Benjamin was a santa pro by the time he came to visit at school:    

This one below seems to be the only one I got of our own house at Christmas time this year.  Hm.  

For Christmas we traveled to Sulphur Springs this year.  It seems so far away now that I'll just show a few highlights.  Eliza loved chasing Hokey the cat.   

Benjamin got a train ride through a sparkly Christmas wonderland.    

We all listened to "Twas the Night Before Chrismtas" and the nativity story.  

And the kids rocked their Christmas jammies.  

If I weren't focusing on kids and pictures I'd also need to mention Richard's delicious duck dinner, the Christmas pudding, Jeff's Christmas eve recital, the music Jeff, JB, and Sarah prepared for the midnight vigil at the Episcopal Church, Hank and Richard falling ill on Christmas day, Christmas dinner in Dallas with all of the cousins, and our last minute (and blessed) decision to head home on Christmas night rather than staying in Dallas another day.  But as it is...

One of my fondest memories from Christmas morning is Eliza's response to the stuffed koala.  Her surprise, wonder, and trepidation were the same reactions she has had with real animals.  I think to her that koala was just as real as it could be.  She recovered enough to invite koala to tea:  

The kids are both enjoying their new riding toys.  In the last few weeks Benjamin has learned a LOT about riding a pedal bike (with training wheels).  It has been amazing to see his strength and coordination blossom as he learns  to pedal and steer and brake.  

And this girl is going to be asking for a real horse just as soon as she can put the words together.  

He loves his new red bike, but still wants to learn to balance on his balance bike.  Here he is adjusting the seat on his own bike.  Because--as we celebrate and sigh over--he continues to grow.