And together we learn

YIPPEEEEEE!!

Guess what???

Steve is HOME. Not home for 24 hours before he flies out again, not home preparing for his next trip, just home. Home for good until the end of January!!!!! When we got home from the airport this afternoon the biggest feeling of peace washed over me. We made it through another semester! He has worked so so hard and now he'll get a much deserved rest. And I'll say it--I've worked hard also. I'm so happy right now I just keep grinning. I feel like this huge burden has been lifted from my shoulders, and now I'm free. I can leave the house ALONE now!

Ok, I'm sorry for the excessive use of exclamation marks. But really, if there's ever an occasion that warrants it, this is it.

The semesters are brutal, but this winter break, and then the summers are what keep us going.

We had a family meeting tonight to decide all the wonderful things we're going to do in the next few weeks. Christmas can begin now.

I got my girls these Christmas dolls--aren't they cute?




I was showing them to Steve while the girls were playing, but they wanted to see the screen so I shut it quickly. They persisted, then Steve told them that if they looked they would be getting brooms and dustpans so they could clean all day long.

Hazel's reaction? "Hooray! I've always wanted my own cleaning things!"

Hmmm, better rethink that shopping list!

Hazel went with Steve on this last trip to New York. Since it was just a fast trip, we figured she was old enough, and sure enough, she did great. They left Steve's employee at the sale and took off to enjoy New York together. They watched the ice skaters in Rockefeller Square and saw the big Christmas tree.



Then she got to sit on Santa's lap (why do they always ask for really really different things each time they talk about Christmas? Would a little consistency be such a bad thing?)

But isn't this just an idyllic father/daughter moment? Then they went to the American Girl store and browsed around. I hope that memories like these will just cement themselves in her mind. How wonderful for her to feel so special to her Daddy.

Tomorrow morning, first thing, I'm going shopping, and I'm going alone!!!!!

Labels: Kids, Steve

posted by Becca at 7:02 PM