12.24.15 - Christmas Trip So Far

I've been too busy to write a proper, thought out blog post complete with pictures, but for the sake of memories I wanted to do a quick bullet point list of joys this trip so far:

• Clara has been doing very well seeing all these people she doesn't know and letting people hold her and cuddle her. She just rolls with it.
• She's also been doing relatively well (for traveling) with sleep. She either sleeps through the night or just wakes up once, which is much better than past travel experiences. And she's been sleeping in a pack-and-play, as opposed to sharing a bed with us, which makes it easier for us to sleep too.
• I've been enjoying lots of delicious treats (puppy chow, fudge, etc) without worrying about it at all.
• Last Sunday (the 20th) Everett and I went with the Jackson family to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It was an enjoyable movie, but I think I had an especially good time because Everett and I sat next to each other and could mutter comments and jokes without bothering anyone else about it. "Thanks, Po!" "Good job, Po!" "Glad you weren't actually dead, Po!" and "May the Force be with you." "And also with you."
• It was also pleasantly nostalgic to see a movie in the theater I used to go to the most when I lived here.
• I love how happy people are to see and spend time with Clara, especially Mom, Don & Merlene, and even Dave.

• During the Metropolis trip we played a game called "Say Anything" with hilarious results. I've never seen Don or Katie laugh as hard as they did during that game. I couldn't stop smiling.

• I really enjoy talking to Katie. I've always liked her a lot, but now that we're both mothers we have a lot more to talk about and the conversation seems to flow particularly easily. She laughs easily, which I always like, but she also makes me laugh a lot with her story-telling style. It's nice to have her to talk to.

Here we are with our daughters and Grandma J

• I got several hours of work done while in Metropolis, which makes me feel a little better about my productivity level.
• The Christmas card I animated for Charter apparently went over pretty well and got them some positive feedback, which is awesome.

• Yesterday I went to Julie's and got to see her, Zoey, and Malcolm decorate a Christmas tree and make sugar cookies. The kids were having a great time and I enjoyed watching their delight. Also Julie had some very tasty spiced holiday wine that she and Ellen and I shared.

• Jack and I got to go on a date last night while Mom babysat Clara. We walked all the way down Main St. and saw the many Christmas decorations and Christmas characters and choirs surrounded by small crowds, many children, watching them. People were selling kettle corn, which made the street smell wonderful. The weather is unseasonably warm, so we were comfortable in light jackets, nothing more. It was pretty delightful.