We had a really lovely and long Christmas vacation, but it was still hard to face going back to work this week.  I did a fair bit of grumbling and dreading over the weekend, but got up at 6 a.m. Monday with resolve.  However, when I pulled into school it was strangely quiet- no cars, no people.  Turns out that all along school was scheduled to start again on TUESDAY.  It was like a snow day but maybe even better.  I came home and surprised Andrew and Henry reading stories in bed, and we decided to go into Boston to the Children's Museum where we spent the day in the "Big Dig" area lifting Henry in and out of the bobcats.

Then after dinner my sweet husband sent me out to the movies with a thermos of tea and a chocolate bar to see Happy Go Lucky, which I loved.  Funny how one extra day of vacation seemed to double the whole thing.

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen

I received many wonderful gifts for Christmas- one of my favorites is this handmade wallet I received from Maryka.  I love it!  In the past I have usually had zippered pouches for wallets with change and cards and everything mixed up together.  No more!  Now everything is neat and organized, see?

After a long and unintentional blogging break I needed a fresh start in the new year, so I am beginning to blog anew here. I hope to post occasional photos and family updates here. I've also established a Flickr page for those interested in extra photos.  So you see I have a refurbished online presence!  (One of many new year's resolutions).

We had a wonderful New Year's day sledding with rosy cheeked children and having dinner out with friends.  Hope you enjoyed your celebration as well!