DaBabs

Happy 2012 Y'All

So, so, so glad 2011 is behind us. I missed my mom and dad terribly over the holidays. My mother-in-law came for Thanksgiving, but for Christmas we just decided to stay here. We originally didn't have any plans on Christmas Eve, but our neighbors invited us over and it was really nice. Her grandpa reminded me so much of my dad, it was eerie.

It was fun doing the Santa thing with Rachel. She was excited to leave cookies and carrots for the reindeer and her favorite gift from Santa was one thing in her stocking that cost a $1 - kiddie nail polish! It's pink and smells like strawberries. She didn't get the concept the first time and tried to put it on herself - on her lips! She loved opening her gifts and was so excited by each one.

We skyped with my brothers and sisters on Christmas Eve and I'm glad we did that. I was really missing them all. I actually haven't spent Christmas with them for a couple years now. Rachel was sick last year, but in some ways, it was kind of a good thing because it made it easier to stay home this year.

Christmas Day we had my friend Cora over and her family. Cora and I had become quite close and I'm so sad that she's moving back to NY. Her husband didn't have a job the whole time he was here and he finally got two job offers in one week - both in NY. So back they go. So sad to see her go - work is always better when you have good friends to talk to.

We did the oplaki - which is a Polish tradition using a wafer like substance. You pass it around the table and wish each person health, happiness and prosperity. The kids didn't get it at first, but they eventually caught on. I served kluski soup (Polish) , which Johnny loved. He said it was the best ever! ;) We also ate prime rib - a tribute to Fr. Paul who used to give it to us every year at Christmas. We then did the rice pudding tradition (whoever finds the almond gets a year of good luck). That one didn't turn out so well so I'll have to try a different recipe next year. Cora got the almond.

Last night we hung out with our neighbors again and that was fun. I'm glad we met them - they're our closest friends here and we always have fun with them. Rachel and Lydia are the same age and call each other best friends. They're cute together, tend to be little troublemakers sometimes.

So that's the latest update. Hoping 2012 is a good one. I'm thinking about concentrating on making myself look and feel good this year... 35 is mid-30s and I'm definitely starting to look/feel it!

posted by DaBabs @ 7:25 PM