Christmas 2024

A visit to Meadowlark Gardens
 The Christmas season flew by, partially because of a delayed start due to a late Thanksgiving this year.  We wanted in great anticipation for the arrival of Anna rather than Santa.  No one knew quite what to expect for her return home for a month.  Here is how it played out so far.

Anna took the train from Richmond on December 13 (that would be Friday the 13th).  This took about 45 minutes longer than planned as she got to experience the reality of Amtrak sharing the rails with Norfolk & Southern (freight rail takes precedent).  Theresa picked her up in Alexandria and then Anna dropped Theresa off at the metro station so she could catch a plane for Ohio.  Anna proceeded to spend the rest of the weekend in her room as she was sick and finishing one final paper (it is unclear if Joe knew she was home).  Theresa arrived home on Monday in time to take Anna to get all four of her wisdom teeth out on Tuesday.  Anna then spent the rest of the week in her room on pain medications and eating ice cream and smoothies.  Anna did not ask Santa for teeth extractions for Christmas, but alas she will have less pain and hopefully straight teeth for years to come!

Meanwhile, Theresa was in the midst of holiday flurry that included:

  • Holiday cards (every year she threatens to quit sending them but then looks at the list and decides the cards must go on).
  • A weekend trip to Ohio for some holiday cookie baking
  • Multiple holiday office parties
  • Other assorting holiday gatherings (neighbors, friends)
  • A Squirrel Nut Zippers holiday concert at George Mason University (ask Joe about that one)
  • A trip to see the Navy Band holiday show at Constitution Hall followed by a walk to the national Christmas tree (easily the best holiday show of the season.
  • Christmas Morning with Benny
    A trip to the Kennedy Center with Anna and Pauletta to see & Juliet with a stop before hand at the U.S. Botanical Gardens to see the train display.
  • Lots of cookie baking (10 different kinds plus fudge - this is also something Theresa says she will cut back on but then she gets on a roll and one thing leads to another....and it has become a tradition to give to the neighbors).
  • A surprise visit from Ms. Be and Mr. Fancy who dropped off a gift for Anna - a wearable blanket.  This may be her favorite gift.

  • Christmas Eve mass and dinner - this year Klara & Fefzi joined in for the festivities.
  • The lighting of the luminaries on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - a neighborhood that involves saving your milk jugs and making them into candle holders.  Lesson for this year - since Anna went to college we consume less milk, thus were reliant on the milk consumption of neighbors to supply the extra containers.
  • A quiet Christmas Day with a surprise appearance by Anna before 10 AM!  Santa stopped by and did not forget the traditional lego set for Anna (she had it finished within a couple of hours) along with a jigsaw puzzle (that took her and a friend a few days).  The theme for Joe this year was nuts - he got a stocking full of all different varieties.  Theresa was the recipient of a lovely necklace & earrings (courtesy of Joe) and some makeup (courtesy of Anna).
  • A trip to Meadowlark Gardens to see the holiday lights - this has become a tradition.  Bonus this year was the warm weather.

Alas, the holiday season is nearly over.  Anna is feeling better and has been catching up with friends.  She is frequently in her room watching videos and rarely gets up before noon.  This dishwasher is running extra to accommodate all of the mugs and glasses (there seems to be a lot of need for hydration).  Life is different with a college student.

Merry Christmas!


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