Happy Solstice! We’re still snowed in - it just keeps snowing and snowing. So weird.

We’ve been having a brilliant time.

Solstice Greetings 2008 from Purple Goddess on Vimeo.

Also bonus photos: Kids in the snow

Kiernen and the Snowman

General Things We’ve Done in December

Kiernen Decorating the Tree

Friday MBD went across the border to pick up some packages from the various grandparents while Kiernen and I got to stay home and hang out with friends. Friday is video day around here, and Kiernen and I were invited to M and K’s house to watch “Horton Hears a Who”. Good times were had by all - until it was time to go, of course. I cannot remember what happened the rest of Friday after naptime.

Saturday Kiernen and I got together with some other neighbours (Mama is L and kiddo is A). We were playing out in the commonhouse with them and then they invited us over to lunch. Kiernen remembered us having lunch there before, and requested (turkey) hot dogs - which it just happened that she had. The kids had a lovely time playing together and the Mamas had a grand time chatting. When it was time to go home, no one wanted to part, but naptime is a powerful call, and so we did.

Saturday night we went to my cousin’s for her Solstice party and were sent home with Holiday cookies and truffles - delicious! Kiernen had fun playing with his cousin - we were one of two families that decided to brave the weather and go. It is interesting to talk to my cousin, because I get an entire new side of the family I really never knew: she talks lots about my (deceased) uncle (her adopted father) and Nanny, our great-grandma. She really loved them both so much and she misses Nanny especially. Anything she has from her is cherished. She really spent a lot of time with Nanny, and has stories I’d never have suspected. I get to know a whole different Nanny, entirely different from the strict Englishwoman I knew. I love it. And I get to learn about my uncle, too.

Today Kiernen got to open his Solstice gifts - he was delighted! And in true three-year-old fashion, once the gifts were finished, he said, “More! More!”

My bio father, who is an accomplished artist, sent me a gift: a necklace he’d made for his Mom that returned to him when she died. He hand-forged the entire thing, chain and all. It is a BIG silver cross with a blue sapphire in it. It’s really lovely. Crosses aren’t my thing, of course, so I’ll keep that put away in a safe place - it really is gorgeous. I’ve got to get a photo. But the chain I put another pendant on and I’ve got it around my neck. It feels really good - heavy and solid. I like it. They gave Kiernen a Planet Earth DVD of chimpanzees and a furry chimpanzee friend to go with it. He gets to watch it when he wakes from his nap. Generally we’re only doing videos on Friday, but as this is Solstice, he’s been allowed to eat cookies all day and he’ll be able to watch the DVD.

Christmas seems so far away now! I want to give him ALL of the presents - the ones for Xmas as well….but we’ll wait. It is as hard for me as it is for him! * laughs *