Random Moments from December

With the cruise, Christmas and the wedding, December was really just a blur for all of us.  Too, I'm ashamed to admit that most of the time, while jumping from one activity to another, I forgot to take pictures.  However, I'm thankful for the ones I DID take, because they reminded me that we Kennedys did partake in a few festivities :-)

In a perfect Larisa world, things would revolve around music, family and nature.  Hence, when the symphony sent out its annual poinsettia fundraising order form, I was all over it.  I'm not even sure how many poinsettias I ordered, but they filled up the back of my SUV.  Johannah had sold a couple of them to her teachers at school too.  Seeing that we were leaving the next day for our cruise, Ethan and I picked them up and took them straight over to Hannie.  I thought she looked so cute and festive, bringing a bit of holiday cheer into school.

Too, after visiting Longwood Gardens with Johannah's environmental science class back in October, I made it goal to return for the holiday season.  After the girls had their lessons in Philly, we drove straight there, and the two hours we spent there were probably some of the happiest and most relaxing hours in December.

Longwood is the second largest botanical garden in the world (and the largest in the United States).  I thought the individual gardens had been quite breathtaking back in October, but nothing could compare to Christmas!  The "greenhouse" alone (it looks like the Lincoln memorial, and is close to the same size) was dripping with every possible Christmas plant.  Poinsettias, pine, even a garden that was filled with white plants (resembling snow, but most of them were succulents and cacti).  Then, we had a lovely walk outside, seeing as the weather cooperated.  So many beautiful trees and lights, and even a fountain show choreographed perfectly with Christmas music.  Too, we had fun climbing the decorated tree houses.  It was nice to remind the kids of a "civilized" life--no video games, no phones, nothing artificial.  Just appreciating the beauty of nature, and finding a moment of peace during a very frantic time.

I can't wait for Mark to get home.  I know he will just LOVE this place.

Tuesday nights are reserved for bell ringing at our local Catholic church.  I never miss a rehearsal unless absolutely necessary.  I originally began going because it is fun to be part of a musical ensemble where I'm not a soloist, and my part isn't exposed (what I wouldn't give to go back and choose my own instrument as a child and be part of an orchestra).  However, I am motivated now to go not only because of the bell ringing, but because I have actual friends.  You know, those people who are interested in one and become a part of one's life.  I've had a devil of a time finding anyone like that here in PA (as I have documented ad nauseum), but who knew?  A bunch of Catholics!  I especially love my section, the treble bells.  We are our own special group, because most of the time we play two-in-hand (two bells in one hand, so that we regularly play four bells at any one time).  There are a LOT of mistakes to be made, playing like that, and we don't hide the hilarity of it all.  Yes, we are troublemakers, and we have the most jolly time being that way.  Seeing as one of the players mentioned what troublemakers we are (when we were laughing particularly loud), I couldn't help but design t-shirts for all of us as Christmas gifts.  They cost me an arm and a leg, but I these ladies are worth every penny!

I joke that I need taller friends.  Believe it or not, I'm actually crouching a bit in this picture.
One day, I will have a friend who is at least 6' tall.

You can imagine the surprise on everyone's faces when I gave these to them before our Christmas concert.  We made a plan to wear them to our next rehearsal, and you better believe we were the envy of the whole bell choir.

I wish I had taken pictures when we went caroling with the Scattergoods. They had been trying to convince us to come with them for a couple of years, and I convinced them to do it on a Monday night…before Christmas.  Perfect!

Too, doing a million things at home with Ethan here.  I loved his Facebook post after spending only 48 hours with me:

Anyone who thinks stay at home moms just stay at home...you are so wrong. Being at home right now literally feels like finals week, homemaker-style. 

A selfie he took of the two of us, to show Rebecca what we were doing at the moment (stuffing Christmas cards).
I can tell I am in "business" mode, judging by the fact that I have my hair pulled back.

I'm sure we did other things, like host parties, wrap gifts and bake gingerbread cookies.  I just can't remember any of it ;-)