January 1, 2013

3 Gifts Heard

1. "Happy New Year" shouted in chorus by four children as December 31, 2012 became January 1, 2013. I think this was the first time my kids have all stayed up until midnight, so it was a new experience for them. Josh proclaimed the dropping of the ball at Times Square "anticlimactic" but they all had fun setting off fireworks and playing with sparklers, so I expect this will not be the last time for them.

2.  The sweet sound of giggles as Jessie and her new friend enjoy just being together, whether it's eating dinner with the family, playing Just Dance on the Wii, watching a movie, giving each other makeovers or snuggling in bed sharing favorite parts of books with each other.

3.  The sound of video games from the basement.  After spending last week tiling the basement, we are all very happy to have a place where the kids -- and Daddy! -- can go to play games or watch movies without being in the middle of the living room.  It's time.