Tell me about your Christmas/Hanukkah/Solstice  

So after the hustle and bustle, tell me how your holidays went. Were you able to take the time to enjoy yourself? Did you spend time with family, friends, your loved ones? Did you follow family traditions or do something new? Did you get any cool gifts?

My family had a great time this year. We attended a solstice ritual on the 22nd that was followed by a bonfire and a drumming circle. My best friend, who is in the army, arrived from Germany for two weeks of leave, and her daughter came to spend the night with the kids. We baked cookies and had a great time. then on the morning of the 24th the kids lead the show at church and we had our christmas pageant and the children's choir sang. The evening of the 24th we had the candle light service with the choir and some of high school students on the piano, flute, and violin. It was really beautiful and my daughter looked so cute all dressed up. She's nine and looked so grown up, it really blew me away, wondering where the years have gone.

After church I got the kids to bed and a friend of mine came over to bring the enormous stuffed dog she'd been hiding at her house for a week so "santa" could leave it for my son. He's 8, but he had developmental delays and prefers toys meant for 4-5 year olds. He still loves stuffed animals and will love on them until they're completely worn out. The bunny he got for easter looks like a HAZMAT team needs to come take it away. I watched the moving Capote while I wrapped all the gifts, then got to bed around 3am.

The kids were up at 8, and I'm very pleased that Santa was able to give them most everything they wanted. Last year was pretty slim due to a major car repair two weeks before Christmas, but this year they were both very happy with their haul. The only thing that put a damper on it was their other dad, my former partner, not showing up to see them. Unfortunately, they've gotten used to being disappointed by him. Some friends dropped by for a while and brought a big crock of really awesome potato and mushroom soup that went great with our Christmas dinner, and the kids spent the day playing with their toys. So all in all, it was a pretty great holiday week for us.

As a single parent with kids who aren't easy to farm out to a babysitter (both have special needs), I'll ring in the new year watching tv and having the last Hornsby's Hard Cider that's lurking in the fridge.