Today Clara decided that she was anti-sleep. If she has a rough day, guess who else has a rough day too…

But don’t cry for me Argentina – despite it all I found a moment to sneak away and enjoy a little time by myself. I walked through the village of Freshford, and drank in the quaintness of it all. I think this village is a rather cozy little spot, but I tell you what, on Christmas Eve it seems all the cozier. If you can believe that!

Something about seeing smoke rising up from the cottage chimneys, catching a glimpse of the twinkling Christmas lights from within softly lit houses just makes my little heart flutter. If I were to stumble upon a magic bottle and a genie were to grant me a wish I think I would ask for an all access pass to peek into these sweet little homes and have a look at what was going on. You know, in the spirit of A Christmas Carol…

This afternoon I was content enjoying my street side view and imagining all the goodness that might be taking place within.

Check out the door knocker on this little cottage, it is a fox.

smoke from the chimney

I walked past one stone house where the windows were right at my eye level. I could see a beautiful dining room chandelier and the table had a beautiful flower arrangement. It glowed! My whole heart wanted to capture it on film, but knew it wasn’t the right thing to do…I wish you could have seen it. It felt so warm and inviting.

As I can’t let you into other people’s houses I can let you peek into mine…

Millie and Granny make play dough Christmas ornaments together.

Just about the only thing that Clara has eaten while we’ve been here. Thank goodness for the yogurt!

Millie enjoys Papa’s fire.

Millie waiting in the wings to perform her Christmas Eve program.

Performing the songs she wasn’t able to sing with her classmates because we were here when her pre-school Christmas concert took place. Please note her choice of costume:  her new Christmas Eve “concert pajamas” and of course, her antlers.

Even the simplest day can be full of so much – as I consider this day there were moments of sheer bliss and moments of pure frustration and within a 24 hour period they get all crammed up together.

I think the beauty of having a place, like this blog, provides an opportunity to take stock.  To remember all the good there is in life. Although there were some very discouraging and trying moments having to do with Clara’s sleep (or the lack thereof) there were so many more moments of connection and happiness and there is just so much BEAUTY all around.

Totally off the subject I’d like to say that tonight I am missing this craziness…

I am not sure that I could even explain it if I tried.

Of all the crazy Kelly traditions this one is, without a doubt the craziest!

You just have to experience it to understand it.

I will say this, I love my wild and wonderful brothers.