One! Two! Three! Days of Christmas!

And the first rush of Christmas maddness is behind us.

Monday, Christmas Day, was the Nielsen entourage -- Mom, Dad, Seth, and Sarah -- with a Hoberman addition for dinner. We had a lovely time, all. The dinner was nice, though the goose wasn't a culinary experiment I'm likely to repeat any time soon. (Afterwards, I recalled an old Medevial saying, "Went through you like goose grease.") Sarah brought a lovely salad and not one but two fabulous desserts. My mother brought cookies and sweet potatoes and a shrimp ring. And many many presents, including a wagon full of blocks and three pair of badly needed shoes and boots.

The Leblancs, along with the dynamic grandmotherly duo of Cathy and Pat, came Tuesday and we had a nice leisurely dinner of lamb stew and couscous. It was much better than the goose. Also, many lovely presents, including the LLBean Walking Wagon which has been a big hit. Cathy also brought a lovely wooden train set and a Murray family cookbook.

Finally, the trifecta was today. Skip and Betty came up and we had a very relaxing day with a simple meal (lasagna and salad) and a nice walk. Skip and Betty also brought up presents naturlaly, icnluding a Shrot Beach-like dock and boat play set.

Now we've got two days of regular life before another mad dash weekend. Saturday morning we'll see Kevin and Jen who couldn't make it to Christmas for the first time in ten years. Then Saturday afternoon, we get to see the NJ folks. Then Sunday, we'll be visiting both Grandma Murray and Grandma Ferry -- would that be Great-Grandmas Murray and Ferry? Then back ot Boston before the drunk drivers come out. And a nice leisurly New Year's Day.

And then four days of usual life (when we'll pull down all Christmassy decor) before the weekend of May's birthday. Her party will be on her birthday proper and everyone who is interested in welcome to be there, it begins at 1 o'clock. But there's no obligation to come. I can't imagine anything more boring for a non parent or grandparent than a first birthday.

There will be cupcakes, though.

May is totally spazzing. Gotta run.