I picked up the boys from school today. Avery finished his homework in the car. Carson waited until we were home, then got online with his friend Hudson. I could hear from the other room, “Number 2 is …” and he read a sentence. “Number 3 is ‘Will wanted to go fishing with his grandfather’.”

I asked: What are you doing? Giving him all the answers? Big smile.

There’s a new pet in the household. A quest by Carson for over a year. This is Mango, a 2 1/2 foot-long yellow belly python:

Hmm, what’s going on in the back yard?

Everyone came over for brunch which was perfect because I got to try out a new waffle maker and recipes for yeasted waffles. Ham and Swiss with sour cream/mustard and orange-zested basic waffles with butter and maple syrup. Grandma was devilish this year with Carson and Avery’s gifts. Both were gift cards which required some creative packaging. Carson received a handmade felt cube filled with large dried lima beans. The letters and words on the outside formed two puzzles to solve.

I hid Avery’s gift card inside a large (heavy) box of walnuts.

And that’s where my picture-taking began and ended.

At Leah (Lenin’s sister) and Jeff’s. Jeff made a perfect prime rib roast via sous vide, smoking and searing, in that order.

Rita (Lenin’s mother) and Lino:

All the cousins. Leo, Jeffery, Lauren, Carson, Sophia, Brooklyn, Cameron, Cameron, Avery, Christian:

Sophia, me, Lauren, Brooklyn, Cameron, Cameron, Thais, Holly, Leah, Rita:

at St Ignatius. I went to the 9:30 dress rehearsal, much less crowded than the evening performance. Carson/2nd grade with 8th grade buddies:

The Christmas story:

Avery/6th grade with 1st grade buddies: