Merry Christmas Eve!

From visiting the penguins at the aquarium this morning to making gingerbread cookies this afternoon, from eating a spread of Italian meats and cheeses (smoked mozzarella! fresh mozzarella! provolone! sopressata--two kinds, hot and sweet! mortadella! capicola! ham! turkey!) with bread for dinner to going to evening candlelight service at church, from decorating said cookies for Santa (and leaving those with pictures and some milk) to throwing oatmeal and carrots on the snow for the reindeer tonight, plus talking to both sides of the family who aren't with us tonight, we have had a very full and fulfilling Christmas Eve.

After the kids were finally in bed, around 8:30 p.m., the adults got to work helping Santa make the the Christmas magic. You know, putting together the big toys, wrapping the last of the stuff (or for Mama and I, all of it), stuffing stockings, eating nibbles of said cookies and carrots, taking away the notes for Santa. And we ate more cheese! Camembert with fig paste and candied walnuts, Stilton and membrillo, Istara, Saint Andre, a funny cantaloupe-looking cheese, 5 year aged cheddar, cabernet paste, pickle, crackers, olives.

Gommie and Pop left after the big stuff was done. Now Mama and I are just finishing up loose ends, swearing we'll get an earlier start next year, all the while kinda enjoying the growing excitement. Plus, watching the cats dig their new mouse toys out of their stocking and bat them around the house.

Waiting til tomorrow is a hard concept for us all!