As my first day off from work for a nice long holiday, it might have been nice to sleep in. But the little ‘maintenance required’ light has been visible on the Prius’s dashboard since shortly before we moved back in July (wince), and I finally tracked down a place where I could take the car that is close to home (yet another amenity within biking distance!). I’d thought about tossing the bike in the back of the car and riding home after dropping it off, but last night I made up the massive grocery list for everything we need for the next five days while my family is here. So Richard followed me to the mechanic, and then after I dropped off the Prius, we went directly to the grocery store, and did not leave there until we had a grocery cart overflowing with bags. Granted, most of the bags are still sitting on the kitchen counter, and will likely remain there, still full, until their contents are used for the meal for which they were purchased, but at least we’re pretty much set now for the next few days.
Today was all about last minute cleaning and rearranging, in preparation for my younger sister to arrive. The last of the empty boxes were piled outside (our recycling bin has been crammed full for the past few weeks!), and clean bedding was set up for each of the guest rooms. Plus, a tiny little sparkly pink and purple tree was carefully placed in the guest room where my little niece is staying, complete with a letter from one of Santa’s elves, confirming that she and her two cousins will be at our house for Christmas.
I have been antsy all day, watching the clock. When their flight finally took off, I had fun tracking it on the computer, watching where it was along its route. We picked up my car and then headed off to the airport, braving all the Friday evening rush hour combined with Christmas weekend traffic.
Richard and I cleverly misread the sign and ended up waiting at the wrong side of the terminal for them to arrive. Thankfully my sister has my cell phone number, so we eventually found them in baggage claim, where they were still waiting for boxes and suitcases to arrive. Big hugs and squeals from the niece, who was just beside herself, because coming down to visit Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Richard means Christmas is almost here!
She was excited to find the tree and her note from Santa’s elf (hey, I do my part to keep the magic alive). We all ate dinner and I broke out the chocolate peanut butter fudge I made earlier this afternoon. There were stories read, and songs sung, and long after my excited niece was finally put to bed, my sister and I stayed up and sat, curled up, in chairs in the living room, with decaf coffee and afghans and purring cats, talking, catching up.
It is so lovely to have the three of them here. I know the next few days are going to be a little noisy and chaotic and wild, with eight adults and three little kids all together under one roof, but I have been looking forward to this for years, this hosting of Christmas, and I am just happy to have them here.
Happy Holidailies!