the way she insisted on placing the star atop the tall tree.
her little wish on Christmas Eve
the way she so carefully placed ornaments on the tree this year, aware of how far back to place them on the bough and spacing that would please the eye.
the glorious swirls of colors in the watercolor winter evening sky.
the Christmas Eve table adorned with all the special decorations I remembered as a child. There's no place like home, even when you are grown.
an in-home visit by Santa arranged by her middle sister. His homemade hat, beard and shirt were her creations to please the littlest one and boy was she excited.
the excitement over giving Daddy his gift and insisting that he open the first gift on Christmas morning. Watching them get so excited about giving, delights me so.
watching her, watch them before school each morning. She is in awe of those big sisters.
making gingerbread houses and fanciful little decorative creatures out of Fruit Loops, gummy rings, candy canes, marshmallows, pretzels, raisins, frosting and toothpicks at Grandma's house.
the way a paper flower crown transformed her into a dancing sprite amid the rooftops downtown.
a visit to see this enchanting old guy who charmed them all.
the way she packed all her little gifts from Santa into her sister's old backpack so she could be sure they went with us to Grandpa and Grandma's house.
three giddy girls ready to see Santa on a watercolor winter sky night.
the brightly colored flags that hung over the sidewalks on a little trip with the cousins.
watching our youngest make beautiful ballet memories downtown among the real ballerinas.
singing in the church Christmas pageant. You memorized all the words and sang them so loud and proud.
baking and tasting our blue and white candy cane cookies for Santa. Blue was the only color we had to dye the batter. Who runs out of red and green?
running from bears.
the days of play beside the tree.
