What a beautiful view from my kitchen window this morning… and a great way to start winter.

YULE

So the shortest day came
and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries
of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
to drive the dark away.

They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
to keep the year alive.
And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.

Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us — listen!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day.
As promise wakens in the sleeping land;
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends, and hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year, and every year.

–Susan Cooper

So I have taken a few days off of blogging after finishing NaBloPoMo… I have to start again though or I will quickly go back into that rut!

We had Khéna’s party on Saturday and it was great. We not only had a few friends with their kids there, but we also had Simon’s Sister, Mom, Dad, Dad’s girlfriend and Grandma there also… It think it was the 3rd time in all of our relationship that I had seen Simon’s parents and sister all at the same time. It went quite well, though I have to admit that I wasn’t very present. That is the thing about having a party, you can’t actually sit down and talk to the guests much. Of course, me being in the kitchen, rolling out dough and making pizzas to order, didn’t really help my cause…

I made 10 pizzas in all, and by the end I was hot and exhausted and of course hungry! It was great though and I loved making the dough ahead of time, getting all the toppings ready and making everyone happy with a pizza they would enjoy.  We also had two amazing salads, fresh pita chips and veggies with Baba Ganoush and some juice for the kids. It was just perfect.

I do have to say that there was an odd moment when my FIL started to talk homeschooling and language issues with a guest. I could hear them talk and I felt so embarrassed for him.  Luckily, he was talking to a great guest that had some great answers and the conversation didn’t get much further afterwards. I think it was a good thing to have the family there as they were able to see that our choices are not that crazy and we are not the only ones making them. We had a house full of great parents and great kids that are all life learners. Yes, it was a good thing.

I didn’t get my camera out much except for when Khéna opened a few gifts and then of course Cake time…

 It was Khéna’s first Birthday Party. Usually birthdays are low key here. We go out shopping, let the kids choose a meal and do the cake just us together. Maybe have a grandma over or something but not usually. This party was a special request this year and he was not disappointed! His face lit of with pride when he sat at the table and everyone sang to him.

Black Magic Cake with Vanilla Bean Buttercream Icing and Cupcakes topped with a raspberry on the side.

Make a wish!

This was a day that I think he will remember for years to come.

I still can’t believe that he is six!