Nothing like a little surprise communion at the children's service of your parents (used to be very laid back, certainly not comunion at a kids service, methodist) church.

Except of course if your parent convinces your child to go up and partake. Without consulting you.

Ugh, Sue -- sorry about the job.

Have successfully completed my big parts of Christmas! The whole family came over, including my newest cousin, who is amazing, obviously. We did hors d'oeuvres and presents in my apartment, and dinner in my parents', just like always, except of course it used to be my grandmother's. Somehow being in here with everyone and all the presents made it feel like my grandmother's place again. It was nice, though! Then singing at church, which more than one person said was our best ever, which is nice to hear. Tomorrow will be more low-key with mostly just us and a few friends here and there.

Oh! But my mother just said, "We aren't going to have breakfast together tomorrow, are we?" ON CHRISTMAS?? Of course we are! And you're going to make a strata and Christmas Scones! Just because I live downstairs doesn't mean we aren't going to have Christmas breakfast together!! Sheesh. (I did actually say all of that....)

Jesse that sounds like a really nice evening.

I'm not bothered by a church changing its rituals as much as I am by HPF taking part in one when she's not part of that community and doesn't know what it's all about. And neither Tom or I were consulted. I'm just stompy. The rest of the service was nice.

Jesse, that sounds really lovely

It's been ages since I put together a Lego set competitively, my feet are numb. (Boys get to open one present Xmas eve. Both ended up with Legos, dad-Josh was hunting down some paperwork for close.)

Yeah, that's something you'd think the parent would be consulted about.

Pies are finished and cooling. We shall see.

I forgot we get Christmas fireworks in this neighborhood. Sorry, dog.

Christmas Eve service completed. Mom and I lost it at communion and mac made me hightail it out of there at the end so he would not start getting sad. Holidays are gonna be hard for my mom for a few years.

Anyway, that is done and now more cooking. I am trying to make the pioneer woman's cinnamon rolls for the first time. I left them to rise while we were at church and….no rising. I wonder how bad these might be.

You got bisquik int the cabinets? You can always throw together something else.

My SIL is the biggest Xmas person in this family but due to the drama of the last month, she's barely there. But the drama here has a prize rather than a missing. Plus she's getting free labor.

Just got the tickets for The Hobbit tomorrow on the theatre website. Reserved seats in the front row handicapped section. Truly we live in a golden age.