Mostly, I am impressed with people who send Christmas letters because it means that they were prepared and organized enough to do so. I also enjoy catching up on the comings and goings of people I haven’t seen all year. But like most honest moms, I do find the letter a bit intimidating. Why haven’t I done as much? What did I do all year? Why aren’t the children in this family all first in their classes, on their sports teams and the most popular amongst their friends?
I’ve actually given the Christmas letter some thought, but I have never really gotten around to it. I rarely even get to Christmas cards and live in mortal fear that some of my friends will drop me from their card lists because they never get one from me.
This year I am determined to send a New Year’s card and I have come up with an idea for a letter. I’m going to write the letter that I hope to write for Christmas ’08. Nope, that’s not a typo! Here is the letter I will be writing next year!!!!
Dear Friends and Family,
What a year this has been. Mr. Husband and I have had a wondrous year in our marriage, not a single fight. He has begun sharing half of all of the household chores and even cooks two nights a week. We have been on 4 mini-breaks and each time come back healthier and stronger.
On the health front, I have lost 50 pounds, run two marathons and look the best I ever have, let alone feel like the 30 million dollar woman. Did I mention we also won the lottery? It really has been a blessing because I have to devote so much time to the new houses, I really can’t manage going to work as well.
Cupcake is off to the university of her choice. We are thrilled that she became an Ontario scholar and even won a scholarship to the creative writing program. I am sure that her first novel will the hit stands along with mine. She has a single room in her dorm which we have re-done with Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel. It looks fantastic! She has made a lot of new friends and seems to be enjoying her balance of academia and fun.
Mlle Jensaispas has finished her swimming instructors and has been accepted as a junior counsellor for camp this summer. She is off to a semester in France after the holidays. It took a lot of coaxing but she is quite keen now. I know she will have the time of her life, but we will miss her terribly. Especially the Gaffer who is exceptionally close to her.
Sir Talksalot has grown out of his surly phase and is a joy to be around again. His fun and friendly nature has resuraced. His incessant chatter has also returned but since it is so much more positive, I am happy to hear him chatter. His basketball team, soccer teams and baseball teams all won their respective championships this year. He has discovered that academics are just as important as sports and girls and is studying in all of his spare time!
And now for our best news…Five has finally joined us. After the years of waiting and paper work and documentation and prospective meetings, we finally flew, as a family, to an international country of our choice and adopted our newest little family member. She is beautiful and tons of fun. She sleeps through the night, if only the Gaffer would, and seems to be adjusting to Canadian life without a hitch.
By the way, did I mention the children nominated me for step-parent of the year…and I won!
I have never been happier and I know my family is shining inside and out.
Merry Christmas!
Love us!
I love that letter!
P.S – hate getting those letters…
Happy New Year to you!
Har! That sounds like the letter I’d like to write as well.
As for your cookie sheets peeling – don’t use the non-stick kind. The non-stick surfaces aren’t safe, and they DO tend to peel. I cover my cookie sheets with parchment paper. If your cookies are burning on the bottom, it might be because of your cookie sheets but your oven also might be hot – it’s worth checking with an oven thermometer and then adjusting your cooking temperatures accordingly.