A Chance To Relax

My knitting, a glass of wine, a crackling fire, and soft music playing in the background. First time I've had a chance to truly relax since well before Christmas.


 

It's Christmas!

 All too early the kids woke up and realized that it was Christmas morning. Their giggles woke the grown ups.

Stockings were dumped out and presents were enthusiastically ripped into.

Neelie's Little Tykes equipment was a big hit. Santa must have had a tough time dragging that down the chimney!

The kids were busy with it, and their other new toys, all morning.

Which was great because it gave Zenawii a chance to get the turkey into the oven while Elfonda made breakfast.

Flame made sure that Zenawii and Elfonda opened some presents too.

He could hardly wait for everyone to open the gifts he had chosen.

 Elfonda loved the necklace Flame made for her.

'Twas the Night Before

After setting out a plate of cookies for Santa, and a bundle of carrots for his reindeer, the kids checked to be sure the stockings were hung where he would find them.

Of course Elfonda and Zenawii had them sit for their annual Christmas Eve picture in front of the tree, but when bedtime was announced all three begged to be allowed to wait up for Santa. They had full intentions of staying up all night if need be, even though little Neelie was already looking mighty tired.

It wasn't long at all before Neelie was carried off to bed, sound asleep. 

Peanut and Flame didn't quite make it either.

Long Distance

Knowing that the next few days would be extremely busy Elfonda took a moment this evening to dial the long distance number for Flame to phone the folks back home.

She could hear the excitement in his voice as he stage whispered, "It's ringing!"

He chatted with relatives, 

and good friends, 

And made sure to wish each and every one of them a Very Merry Christmas!

Blingy-Go-Round

Flame found himself a Merry-go-round with a lot of extra bling.

Elfonda is hoping he didn't eat too many sweets before he climbed up there and got the contraption spinning wildly!

Marble Dish

Um --- Flame? Elfonda asked you to fill the candy dish --

I don't think a game of marbles is quite what she had in mind when she sent you out there.

Gingerbread Millennium Falcon

For Flame's final assignment in Gingerbread House building class he handed in a Gingerbread Millennium Falcon.

Elfonda's not quite sure if she should give him a failing grade because it's NOT a "house" as requested, and not at all traditional ---

-- or if she should give him an A because he showed creativity, originality, and that he could keep up with modern trends.

Better Than Snowballs

DUCK!

Or maybe just open your mouth? His aim is pretty good!

It's a Marshmallow World

Our first small skiff of snow fell today. Most of the snowflakes melted shortly after hitting the ground. Slush doesn't work well for snow angels.

Flame was terribly disappointed but Elfonda took pity, 

and allowed him to play indoors with a mound of marshmallows.

He is having so much fun I don't think he'll miss the Rice Krispie squares she had planned.

PS: The here, there, and everywhere alignment of my blog lately is not MY fault. I can't tell you the number of times I've centred everything, or put it all as left alignment, yet when published Blogger just does as it darn well pleases. It's driving me crazy!

Blue Tooth

Elfonda caught Flame in the bathroom painting his teeth blue.

He had heard the grownups talking about how a great assortment of Christmas music is available for free if you have a "Bluetooth speaker". 

He figured with a little paint he could make everyone happy and become a speaker with blue teeth!

Luckily he hadn't done any permanent damage to his teeth and Elfonda was able to explain blue tooth technology and radio stations like "Jango" and "AccuRadio". Now we have as much Christmas music as we want and in the genre's that appeal to us.

Wanting a Date

When Elfonda found Flame way up high on the fireplace mantle, 

darting about, playing amongst all the Christmas stuffies, 

she thought perhaps he was hiding, shirking his duties as an apprentice Elf on the Shelf.

But after questioning him she discovered he was just up there waiting around, hoping for a date.

Oh no! Not *THAT* kind of date! He's too young for that.

No, Flame figures maybe he should have "2015" tattooed on his foot or perhaps embroidered on his clothing. I guess he would like to announce his arrival date like everyone else up there.

He Sees You When You're Sleeping

Flame is reading one of his favourite Christmas stories to the girls.

It's not 'supposed' to be a horror story, but little Neelie looks worried!

I think it might be that line about "He sees you when you're sleeping."

You don't think her bedtime thumb sucking habit puts her on the "naughty" side of the list, do you?

Budding Photographer

Flame climbed up on a chair to practice his photography

He wanted to get closer to eye level because he has heard how unattractive "up the nose" shots can be.

And he wanted his photos of Lieutenant Zenawii Tulusson and his wife, Elfonda Schelf, to be as perfect as possible. 

Tonight is the night of the Starship Officers' annual Christmas Party and Elfonda has a new dress for the occasion.

Wrapping It Up

One of the things every Christmas Elf must master is gift wrapping. 

Flame sometimes struggles with getting those corners tucked in neatly.

But Elfonda is happy with his progress and encourages him to keep practicing.

Which is very good news for me,

Because I have a stack that still needs to be wrapped!

Frosty Smiles

Hey!

The little snowman in the globe --- 

--- has the same smile as me!

Maybe he loves his Christmas time as much as I do!

Two Weeks and Counting

Flame kindly moved the advent calendar to the next position

 and I was in for a bit of a shock 

when I realized that there are only two more weeks until Christmas!

Tiny Tailor

Elfonda Schelf has been giving Flame a few sewing lessons. 

He was so pleased with his new skill that he went straight to work making some gifts for Christmas. 

Whatever it is it sure is keeping him busy!