Amazon, Target (x3), Staples, JoAnn’s, Whole Foods, and Russ’s. I’m shopped out for today (and DONE, thankfully, with Christmas at least).

DPP pics from past years: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Today was the last day of school before Christmas break — a snowy morning as we dropped Simon off, and I’m hoping the white will stick around for a few more days. I do actually enjoy the rhythm of the school days, but I am ready for a change, and I am as giddy as, well, a kid on Christmas break. I have really been missing my big kindergartener, and I am looking forward to the unstructured days so we can stay in our pajamas until noon, or all day, and bake cookies or make art or do whatever. My plan is no plan.

DPP pics from past years: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Today we had a little birthday party to celebrate Ian, who will turn four next week. I love my quirky little guy who loves camels of all things, and I love all these little buddies who made him feel really special today.

DPP pics from past years: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

This moment brought to you by Geico, specifically the camel commercial. Knowing how much Ian loves camels, my friend Tara texted a link, and we watched it over and over and over, or as Clara said, “One mo tie” (x 7).

DPP pics from past years: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

A morning snuggle. (This image is a day late simply because I chose an early bedtime over blogging last night.)

DPP pics from past years: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

I’m trying to get a jump on my wrapping this year, hoping to avoid my usual late-night gift-wrap marathon  the 23rd or 24th. Ian wanted to help, and, I’ll tell you what, the kid knows his way around scissors and tape.

DPP pics from past years: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

A breakfast date with my husband, a delicious pastry and hot coffee, an unhurried morning. Rare treats indeed (well, except for the coffee, which is a treat but not quite as rare as the others) and much appreciated today.

DPP pics from past years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

We went to a birthday party this morning, and Simon got his first taste of face painting. I loved how serious and confident he was as he transformed himself into a cheetah (and he did a really good job, I think).

DPP pics from past years: 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Today Jason fixed the fireplace and built a fire; the kids supervised, more or less.

DPP pics from past years: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

The plan was that Jason would let the kids watch him shave his head to keep them out of my hair while I made dinner (see what I did there?). I couldn’t resist snapping a few photos of the event. This picture makes it look like there are more people in our family than there are, which is actually a fairly accurate portrayal of how it sometimes feels when everyone is talking at once and it feels a little chaotic.

DPP pics from past years: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012