Me and a block of chocolate

26th of December

Yup, that's what my father got for his birthday 65 years ago. He was born on this day in 1919 and I in 1948. Zweite Weihnachtsfeiertag in Germany and Boxing Day or St Stephen's Day in England. The war was over but not so long. My mother was pregnant with me when my parents with their then 5 year old firstborn fled from East to West Germany, over the border in the middle of the night. My mother had spunk and my father quite often had no choice, thank goodness. My father would do anything for his family, and many others too. He was so sweet and kind. Well, both of them. But my mother had definitely the spunk!
They were living very remotely, there was a lot of snow, of course no car and no telephone to call a taxi. So my father went on a bike to get the midwife. I was born at home at 7:15 am, the exact same time as my father. And I was a Sunday child.
My parents were wonderful and I miss them.
Now, being a parent and grandparent myself, I think quite often that I was so far away with their grandchildren. But James and I made sure that the girls knew their family, saw them as often as possible and they loved their grandparents.
So, this is the day. Medicare and all, ha-ha. We take it easy. Helen went to her sister. They had things to do for my party the next evening. After some really cold days weather-wise at least the sun is shining today. We (the rest of us) are craving a walk. William loves the idea and we dress for it.

William is quite a good walker but this was close to nap time, so his father's shoulders are the thing.

Yup, nap time.

For dinner we were invited to Sarah and family. Edy is a very loving cat but normally disappears when children arrive, especially toddlers. She was delighted though to be petted by William.

We had layed the table with the Christmas crackers for the Christmas dinner at our house the day before but didn't get around to using them. So Helen or James had brought them to this dinner. And we had a lot of fun. Aren't the hats (excuse me, crowns!) stylish?
I have to tell you though a little story. Crackers of course are a British thing and I got introduced to them as soon as I had married James. Never had heard about them before. A few days ago I went to Target and could not believe when I saw them there. It used to be that we had a terrible time finding them to buy and in the beginning even asked the family (in England) to get them for us. Anyway, there was a lady standing there trying to select. We got to talk and I asked her whether she knew what to do with them. She said "no" but she really wanted them. So I explained to her when and how: each person grabs a cracker with the right hand, crosses arms right over left and everybody with their left hands grabs their neighbors cracker. Everybody pull at the same time on account of three. And I told her what would most likely be in it. Oh, was she excited to know this.
Yes, the trivia and the (lame) jokes! Can't help but laugh. And what is that on James' head? Somehow we seemed one crown short. Sometimes the things fly!

After dinner we retreated to the living room and Caleb tried out his quilt.

Thank you for a lovely day and dinner.

Friday December 27
Next day ... everybody especially James seems busy doing things for the evening. I can take it easy. For lunch I decide to make those mini chicken pot pie muffins (from previous blog)

Helen said that William would love to go to Toys-R-Us to spend his Christmas money from great-grandmother Geegee on a new train engine. So we did and had fun.

Omi sprang two quarters for a ride.

A backwards picture from the front. Don't think can call it a selfie since I am not in it.

We stop back at the house but then go to the playground. The weather has improved.
Helen posted this picture on FB saying "A happy boy".

He was sure wanting to be on the swing even so they were quite high off the ground.
Yes, finally a video again ha-ha.

We walked across a large field to the ducks. Actually they were mainly Canadian geese. William counted accurately that there were 8! He loves counting.

The evening! I had mentioned that it would be nice to have a party ... so James and the girls arranged it ... catered in the CR Pavilion Ballroom. It was lovely! !!!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU everybody! Especially my wonderful family!

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