Take 5

 1.  Isabel is reading!  We celebrated with a Reading Party at the Zoo last week (her choice of locale).   The Zoo was deserted, cold and snowy.  It was fun to feel like we had the place to ourselves as we meandered through the buildings.  Favorite animal of the day?  Hippopotamus--but we were all disappointed not to see the new baby jaguars.

 2.  We did not escape a Christmas virus this year.  I took Theo into Urgent Care on Christmas Eve for an ear infection.  The children's immune systems succumbed one by one, I stayed home for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.

We celebrated quietly at home, no visitors.  We opened a few gifts everyday, ate a bit, and took long naps.  It was simultaneously lonely and welcome.  Chris and I can't remember the last time when we purposefully did nothing and had nothing to do except be together.  It was kinda nice.

Another virus swept through during the first few days of the New Year.  Hopefully we will stay healthy for a while now!

3.  These rolls are fantastic.

4. Chris:  "Gus?  Where do pork chops come from?"
    Gus:  "Tigers."
    Chris:  "Nope.  Try again."
   Gus: "Chickens?"  (pronounced shickens)
   Chris:  "Nope.  Pigs."

5.  I have more resolutions and goals for 2013 than I should.  Lots of painting and home decor projects.  I'd like to start running again.  (I was really good for two/ three weeks in November, but gave up.)  Start using cloth napkins.  Become a more disciplined user of the envelope system.  I'd like to finally read Anna Karenina (it will be my gazillionth attempt) before I watch the movie.  Start dressing a bit more 2013 and a little less 1999 (skinny jeans and colored denim make me feel very nervous!).