Mele Kalikimaka

So here is Jingle, pretty much disregarding the whole "plunging temperatures outside" thing.  Note the "Elf Defense" he's got nearby to keep his skin protected.  The hula girl and beach towel are a nice touch too - and that Santa ornament has been around for ages.  The pineapple cup is actually from our luau we had, which was in fact a wedding shower from the year 2000.  Completing the ensemble is a pair of Mickey-shaped sunglasses from Disney World, which go with a My Little Pony.  As you can see, this little guy has thought of everything.  And all right after Madison went to bed too!

Today was one of Daddy's final work days before the upcoming Christmas break.  Obviously, we have a few services to plan here and there, but the week on the whole should be much more relaxing than the usual.  Add to this the fact that we are not starting a new series the following week, and it makes for a nice break.  Almost makes you want to pull out the beach towel and soak up the sun.  If it weren't for the fact that the temperature is just about freezing outside!  Talk about a dramatic change!

Tonight we were gathering all the presents for tomorrow - lots to wrap for friends, and lots to put together.  It wasn't a terribly late night, and in fact that's one thing about this Christmas that's a bit different:  we're ahead of the game on wrapping and presents.  That makes for a more relaxed next few days, certainly with more rest in the forecast.

Meanwhile, Madison has been catching up on her Christmas movies.  We've seen just about all of our collection this time around, except for a few of the longer motion pictures.  We've got so many half-hour specials on DVD, from Frosty to Olive to the Miser Brothers.  Madison loves them all.  Today she was even watching the Carebears Nutcracker movie - three times in a row, apparently.  Mommy wasn't quite as thrilled with that one!