It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Well, here I am, finally facing the inevitable, the Post-Holiday New England Winter. It is not for the faint of heart, my friends, staring down that long, dark, holiday-less tunnel till June, with nothing but the little pink blip of Valentines Day and a 5th birthday at Planet Gymnastics to look forward to. But before I completely submit to the winter doldrums, lets bask in the glow of the holiday memories for the moment and reflect on the best and worst of Holiday '08.
Best Moments:
1) Jayas first letter to Santa, requesting only a "Quetzlcoatlus".
2) Santa delivering said Quetzlcoatlus.
3) Unlimited playtime with our cousins Noah and Leo visiting from Edmonton.
4) The honest-to-goodness holiday magic of the Boston Pops Holiday sing-along.
5) Two- not one- fancy grownup dinners out with babysitters at home.
6) Aforementioned babysitter texting me cheery messages before I can call home to check in. I love her.
7) Discovering that the The Winter Revels, which were unbearably uncool at age 13 with my parents, are quite lovely as an adult.
8) Hosting a day-after Christmas brunch with family and close friends.
9) Mimosas and orange rolls at said brunch.
10) Succesfully baking 8 dozen gingerbread, sugar, chocolate crinkle, and Russian tea cookies.
11) The 3 day winter-wonderland snowfall that delivered a perfect white Christmas without delaying (too much) arrival of family.

Worst Moments:
1) Jaya suddenly deciding that snow is too A) wet B) cold C) slippery.
2) Having 2 binoculars for 3 boys at the Pops.
3) Unlimited playtime with our cousins Noah and Leo visiting from Edmonton.
4) All of the time following New Years Eve until school, thankfully, resumed.

Well, that's about a 3-1 best/worst ratio, a double thumbs-up in my book. Here's to more of the same in '09.