Nice little cliff-hanger I left there, huh? I bet all four of you who still read this blog of mine were assuming that I had shanked an elf and lay rotting in a cell after attempting to shoot my way out the employee entrance to the mall. But no! We got our Santa photos with no drama, and got out alive. I think we even went out to a nice breakfast afterwards...the details are foggy after all the recent holiday festivities.

Truth is, I took a two week vacation from work and in order to keep myself honest (and vacationing) I kept the computer turned off. Same with my cell phone. Once the twitching stopped, it was downright refreshing.

Now, with less than 24 hours remaining, I'm slowly getting myself used to the idea that I'll be back in the saddle, bright and early tomorrow. I'm thinking I need another week or two, but you know, schools, work... they aren't as flexible about these things. I'm pwned by The Man.

With the kids out of school for their winter break, we spent the few days before Christmas in a frenzy of familial togetherness. They baked cookies with my mom and dad, and we hooked up my husband's present - digital cable, finally - and watched 700 hours of television and movies as it rained softly outside. Christmas Eve, we spent the evening with my parents at their home, and opened a few gifts, and shared a nice dinner. My son made his "famous" lasagne, which was well-received by the whole gang.

He's a funny kid, very sensitive and eager to have people notice his contributions. I understand that, being a middle child myself, with two vibrant siblings on either side of me. Except the whole sensitive thing - that's all him. Anyway, having a signature dish to prepare has put quite a bounce in his step. I might do a special recipe video blog for it in the near future.

Christmas night, my oldest placed three Tiger's Milk bars and a glass of chocolate almond milk for Santa and some celery for the reindeer. I tried to convince her that the lovely cookies she helped make would be a better plan, but she insisted. Santa needs some protein, apparently.

All night, the kids struggled to fall asleep, excited by what the morning would bring. My oldest came to sleep with us first, fretting that she couldn't fall asleep and worried that Santa would pass us by. My son and youngest came next, and Christmas morning dawned with all five of us crammed in our king sized bed. We made it until 6:30 this year!

The kids were thrilled with their gifts, and as usual, it was hilarious to see which of the gifts really made a huge splash. My youngest practically hyperventilated over a grocery-store plastic jewelry set. She spun in circles and trilled little bursts of song over it. Meanwhile, the new bike from Santa got a warm reception, but no singing or spinning.

After spending a quiet day at home, and tucking the kids in early on Christmas night, it hit me - this was the sweetest, most enjoyable Christmas we've spent with all three kids - and I think that is all due to the fact that my life is so hectic now that a peaceful couple of days with no fighting kids and no place to go and plenty of time to talk and relax and just be together made it a wonderful respite from the day-to-day.

I'm trying to decide whether to post about my New Year resolutions - it seems like the kiss of death. We'll see.

One of them is to post five days a week.