We had an AMAZING Christmas this year. The kids made out like bandits, I received some really thoughtful gifts, and we all got to spend extended time with our extended family. Our days since the holiday have been low-key and lovely. We’ve seen movies, played with toys, and tried to clean up the Christmas chaos. Annie and James got a basketball hoop from their grandparents so we’ve spent as much time shooting hoops as the weather has allowed. They also got a hoverboard…one of us is a little upset with Santa for not consulting with them about this gift. Helmets are DEFINITELY required while riding. We plan on ringing in the new decade at our friends’ annual New Year’s Eve party. James is VERY EXCITED to see what the new decade is going to bring…he’s putting out the bold predictions of flying cars and a streaming service for video games. Honestly, that last one sounds like a good idea.

Happy New Year to you all!

Around The ‘Net

~The ice we’ve lost to climate change this past decade, visualized

~Eagle Rock church erases $5.3 million in medical debt for poor L.A. area families

~The Ganges Brims With Dangerous Bacteria

~There’s a Texas-size area of hot seawater off the coast of New Zealand

~My semester with the snowflakes

~‘I Should Have Done More’: Bob Cousy’s Letter To Bill Russell

~Living in her car, she was afraid and harassed. Then she found an unexpected refuge

~‘Ghost boat’ washes up on Japanese island

~Parents are Holding Their Kids Back in School to Make Them More Competitive Athletes

~An Ebola patient treated in the U.S. chose to remain anonymous. Now he’s telling his story.

~Sydney Mesher is a Radio City Rockette — who also happens to have one hand

~To Make Girl Who Is Deaf Feel At Home, Dozens Of Neighbors Learn Sign Language

~Can tech save the kakapo, New Zealand’s ‘gorgeous, hilarious’ parrot?

~This stinky gas could be the key to identifying alien life on distant planets

Santa Snaps

We took Annie and James to see Santa Claus with their younger cousins. Annie, who is only shorter than me by about five inches at this point, wore an old sweater of mine AND my shoes. The sweater has some history with Santa.

 

She needs to stop growing because I am not ready to share clothes with her yet.

Fun Finds

~Okay so speaking of the hoverboard (which touches the ground so IDK why it’s called a hoverboard), there’s an attachment you can get to make it into a Go-Kart. That’s…pretty legit.
~Mike and I gifted ourselves a Roomba vacuum which I already love. We named it C.H.E.E.S.E.
~RED ALERT: There is a new Fantastic Gymnastics game!! The kids got it for Mike for Christmas and they’ll all obsessed with the new vault challenge.

Happy Sunday! See you next year (c’mon, I had to)!