New Years Eve

We split up as a family for New Years this year. Clara went to Olivia's and was definitely the only Dryden awake at midnight.

Kate, Hattie and Paul went to the Johnson's for a laid back dinner and were back home in bed by 10:30.

December Randomness

Davidson vs. UNC Basketball

We trekked to the Dean Dome to watch the Davidson Wildcats take on the mighty men of Carolina. Paul and Kate rooted for the alma mater, but Clara and Hattie had no sense of loyalty. They went for Carolina all the way and were happy with the outcome of a lopsided UNC victory.

Umstead Getaway 2018

Aaaahhhhhh.....

Christmas Day 2018

Christmas morning excitement begins at 6:15am with Hattie bellowing from the top of the stairs, "Mama, Daddy! Can we come down yet?!"

We had already heard her pounce from her bed at 3:30 in the morning, and we just assume she never went back to sleep.

Paul and Kate pulls themselves from bed, groggily barking orders that the girls not come downstairs before the scene is set.

And the fun begins quickly enough as the girls rush into front room to assess the loot. First impressions are good ones!

We go first for stockings, and Hattie can hardly contain her excitement. But she takes a breath and reads the letter from Santa.

 Dear Hattie & Clara, 
The cookies were delicious.Chocolate milk hit the spot.Donder and Blitzen ate the carrots,and loved them a lot.
Merry Christmas!
S.C.

Then the frenzy of gift opening begins. Actually, it was rather subdued this year. Hattie remembered how quickly she worked through her presents last year and that it left her wanting more as Clara slowly worked through her bounty deep into the morning.

This year was more of a last man standing competition. So for nearly three hours we unwrapped slowly and precisely as each girl jockeyed to open that one final gift of the day.

Everyone was thrilled with what they got. After lounging all morning, we had to get out for some fresh air, exercise and a chance to try out some of the new loot.

Clara put on the roller skate Hattie picked out for her. They snap onto her shoes, and she found all sorts of ways to test her balance.

Hattie opted for her new exercise clothes and the smart watch. She turned our stroll into a timed run. How many steps to get from this mailbox to the next? How long would it take her to run up the hill? She stretched after each interval, keeping that body loose and limber while speculating on running a 5K with Mama in a couple weeks.

The mood never diminished over the course of the day. The girls were thrilled and grateful for all they received. The only drawback was that chilly realization that we have to wait another full year before getting to do this all over again.

Christmas Eve 2018

What do two girls do when they have to spend a FULL day just waiting....waiting....waiting for Christmas morning to come? I mean, there are only so many times you can check NORAD radar to see where in the world Santa is delivering presents at this precise moment and how long it will take him to get to us!

So we fill the time with activities that force the little ones out of the house so Santa's helpers can get their work done.

This year we built a fire in the backyard, a good way - we're finding - to keep the girls outside playing in the tree house or splashing through the creek. 

And, of course, we head to FPC for the Christmas Eve service...

When we get home, the girls quickly change into pajamas, we eat, and then Hattie sits down with Kate to show off her developing piano skills.

Then Hattie and Daddy go outside to put down the sparkling oats in the best spot for a reindeer landing...

Then we get the cookies and milk ready (chocolate milk this year), and wait for bed time.

While Santa's helpers make sure everything is set up just right for the morning.