Merry Christmas

It seems that I've captured the last of the priceless expressions on Miss Ma'am's face on Christmas morning! She was up and running this morning before I could even get my feet on the floor. Once again, the house was filled with excitement and lots of laughter and smiles. After taking a few photos ... can y'all guess where I ended up?!

Ye'sir'ee Bob!!! Back to The Kitchen! I believe I have enough time in now that I could start my own Food Network show.

With a fresh pot of coffee brewing, I made us some Hawaiian sweet bread french toast, dusted it with a little powdered sugar and cinnamon, and we enjoyed a nice warm breakfast that was just a little piece of paradise. For myself, there was my lovely chai tea latte; for JD, coffee - leaded - straight up black; and for Miss Ma'am, some hot cocoa.

What more can be said of Christmas Day in a home where family comes first and where love abides above all else? We spent the entire day listening to Christmas music, watching new movies that Miss Ma'am had collected over the last two days, playing every game she got (which I think was a total of 6 this year), and nibbling pretty much all day on Christmas Goodies.

I can't express how grateful I am to have been blessed with such a fabulous husband and such an incredible child. They're both my world (and Miss Ma'am knows it too, y'all). The gift of an entire day to do nothing but play has been nothing shy of fabulous.

Santa must have really been listening and watching all year long. She had asked for an easel and paint supplies back during the summer time and was extremely proud to find it by the tree on Christmas morning.

Checking out the paint set ... (Is she artistic? Not particularly but I reckon Santa figured there would be no harm in letting her give it a try. She goes on so much about wanting to set up in the front yard and paint the sunset, and since she's been honored with both Terrific Kid & Sailor of the Week this school year, she's most definitely earned the opportunity to give it a go. Who knows?! She might actually prove to be talented!)

Working her way through all the goodies. She loves Air Hockey and was really surprised to learn that Santa was listening when she asked for this tabletop game.

She saw Santa three times this season and each time, the only thing she requested directly was 'Sorry' (the board game) & Pick-Up Sticks. Well now ... seeing as how her Grandmother gave her 'Sorry' on their visit this past weekend, all good ol' Santa really needed to make sure he had on that sleigh of his was the 'Sticks.' Do the elves still make these things? I hadn't seen them anywhere & believe me when I say, I WAS DOING SOME SERIOUS LOOKING. On the Friday prior to Christmas, I got an email from Santa explaining how he had to travel to the other side of the universe to the Land of Archaic Toys and how he had to purchase extra feed-corn to fuel his reindeer; all in an earnest effort to make sure that Miss Ma'am (in addition to everything else received) did, in fact, get precisely what her heart desired. And judging by the look on her face? I'd say Santa was Right On!!!

Yay for the kid who loves movies as much as her mom ...

Woody Pez dispenser - one of three that
were in her stocking this year.

It's All About The Shades!

JD & Miss Ma'am engrossed in a game of Pick-Up Sticks. I think they must have played this game alone about a dozen times.

A very happy but tired Miss Ma'am.

May God bless you all as he has surely blessed me.
Merry Christmas!!!
This is USS Retired signing off ...