celtic, how cool that he was asking for you and then stayed focus on you. You are so lucky to have him to spend the holidays with!

EW, I appreciate your comment about having energy "then." I've thought of that this Christmas season while getting ready without any kids around. I wondered how I did it because I was a SAHM and my kids were always around. Gone are the days of that kind of energy.

I was Mary in the first grade nativity play. I think it was because I had long brownish hair. Trust me, it wasn't because I could act. All I remember was kneeling with Joseph and folding my hands. That's about it. Anyone can do that.

My funniest recollection of the Christmas shows is of my daughter, and it's on tape. She and her little friend beside her (they were probably 2 or 3) were goofing off in spite of the all that was going on around them. The kids were all lined up in the front of the chapel with their Christmas clothes on and little bells in their hands. They were in their own little world, making funny faces while they sang, marching, giggling, shaking their bells with tremendous exuberance. It was adorable, and we couldn't help but laugh hysterically, which you can hear on the camera. Fun times. I'm laughing just thinking about it.