Collette

Wake to kids climbing around on us, Yali talking about the magical elements of his “tattoo” (numbers he wrote on his arm with Sharpie)

Oxbear brings Yali and Patience out to St. Peters shortly later to wash our unfortunate bedding (after the cat decided to use it as a litter box (both kinds) and with the dryer being out…)

I get some dishes and laundry done at home – while half-watching “The Shop Around the Corner” (mostly like it because it’s set in Budapest) – occasionally shushing the idiot dog barking at passing mothers with baby strollers in the street

Early afternoon Puck leaves to pick up J… Hidden Valley is open again

The rest of us have already split north for family, an afternoon that includes hours of delicious Heavenly Ham sliders catered in by Uncle R and Aunt P for almost exactly 50% of the extended family present that particular Christmas (absentees as far as Kansas City, Boston, Indiana, Oklahoma, and South Carolina)… the afternoon also includes rides in Uncle R’s Cybertruck, two each for Yali and Patience

On the drive back, stop by J and D’s to pick up the finally-dry bedding as D gives me a generous birthday check, a silver hair barrette, and a hand-painted card of course

Evening… Puck texts that the slopes are “meh” but also “alright”… stays overnight at J’s house afterwards