No man is a failure who has friends

And just like that Christmas is over for another year. The kids bounded into our room shortly after 7am mst. announcing that Santa indeed had come and there were crumbs on the plate and presents under the tree to prove it. The most shocking part of the previous sentence was the 7am bit. That's definetly the latest they've ever slept in on Christmas, which don't get me wrong - I'm lovin it - but still, they're GROWING UP which is sad in its own way.
Everyone loved their presents - the girls got fairy stuff, doll stuff etc - which they loved and Ethan got a remote controlled truck, and a sophisticated marble tower among other things. Ang got the usual from me - jammies, chocolate, shows etc. -if it ain't broke don't fix it, right?
As for me, the kids really surprised me this year. For starters they made me an Oilers collage on an old ratty piece of cardboard that they had fished out of the recycling. My favorite part of the collage is a large picture of Iginla, which at first confused me but then I saw the word "Boo" written in crayon along with a big pointing arrow and I knew my kids had done good. The specialist present I recieved this year came from Maddison. She filled out a "My Dad and me" book which is basically just what it sounds like except it also makes you cry. Apparently.
So that's that. All the presents are opened and the kids are intensly playing with their new toys. This was Hugo's first Christmas so even he is enjoying chewing on his new. . .wrapping paper. As I type, Angie's helping Ethan put together one of those complicated left brain scientific kind of things - I tried for an hour and got to step 6 - out of 30. Ang "left brain" Close graciously suggested I "start breakfast or something" while she took over and I think they're just finishing. I used to get mad at how much sucked at stuff like that but I've finally come to accept that I am who I am and plus -by playing the fool I get out of a lot. Shhhhh though. Don't want Ang to catch on.

Last night we watched "It's a Wonderful Life" for the umpteenth time and yes, we cried for the umpteenth time. Its that good. Maxim can shove it as far as I'm concerned. Anyways, the movie ends with a quote that I wish to share with you:

"No man is a failure who has friends."

Thanks for being the secret to my success! I love you all!

Have a great Winter Solstice and a Happy New annual time.

Politically Correct John

P.S. We've been trying to post pictures but blogger's being a bugger. Try again later. Speaking of later, I was supposed to make breakfast, yikes. Mmmm sausage.