Trimming...

Did you know that there are over 30 definitions for the word "trimming"? The trimming that we did this weekend was to decorate our tree. It took several days to get this done. Alex and the boy child put up the tree this past Tuesday when the girl child and I were at her Brownie meeting making Gyoza. Then Alex began the lights on Thursday and then had to stop when almost all the lights were not working (sh*#!). We didn't get a chance to buy more lights until Saturday. Part of the reason is that Alex has been putting in a lot of hours at Jimmy Johns the last few weeks. Nothing got done on Friday because we had a Christmas get-together with the others in the science department and their spouses. I'll do more on that later. So, the lights were purchased on Saturday. They went on the tree as soon as we got home. Moments after that the kids were trimming the tree. When it was all done, my husband sighed and began to reminiscence when we used to have a tree with a theme - color matched and everything. That was pre-kids. Now the theme is "kid" ornaments. What they make, what Santa brings them, etc. I do like this theme, for now. The kids put all the ornaments themselves. I put chairs near the tree, gave them some decorating tips and set them off on the task. I am quite proud of what they accomplished.

Actually, I am quite happy of everything we did this weekend. First we completed all the shopping (whew!). We needed to get gifts for the kid's teachers, the crossing guard, Alex's mom, my folks and the person for whom I am their secret Santa. We also needed to shop for winter wear - in particular, outdoor ski clothes for Alex and I. Since the last time I skied, I was many pounds lighter. Those clothes just do not fit me anymore. We also completed all the wrapping of Christmas gifts.

Alex also completed the floor in our daughter's room. We hope to bring home her new bed this week and maybe even begin the painting. Not only did he work on the room, but with all the snow, Alex was busy with snow removal. I was busy keeping the kids snow gear dry when they came in to warm up.

Apart from the shopping stuff, I managed to get the kids to the chess club on Friday after school while making peanut-soy sauce marinated chicken skewers for the science department Christmas party. I was also martini girl (brought the sour apple and lemon-drop martini fixings)!

What still needs to get done is the school work - correcting papers and such. So this is when my story must end.