Happy Holidays!

It's that time of year again- where snow falls, people are giving, and happy faces everywhere. I love to spend a snow day inviting a friend over and sledding on the driveway and in the backyard. Sometimes, when a fresh batch of snow falls and creates a blanket of snow all over the town, I eat the snow. It's SO good! I know, mum always says that it's dirty, but it's brand new, icey fresh, and delicious! It's like ice water that's much easier to get- no cup required! Just grab a hand full, shove it in your mouth, and let it melt away in the bitter tasty coldness.

Who here is christian? I am! And I absolutely LOVE Christmas. Not just because of me getting cool stuff, but the joy of giving to others too. And of course, decorating the Christmas tree (and picking it out)  and eating all the gingerbread we want. Making cookies, gingerbread joy, snowball fights, and more! That's why winter is my favorite season. And this year, I finally get to put up the star on our Christmas tree!! In previous years, my super-tall brother, Sam, (he's like 6 feet something inches) has put it up. No problem for him. This year we had to get a bit shorter tree so I could actually reach the top. I feel so tiny! So we're picking the tree, and almost every single tree that my brother, Sam, suggested, my dad would say, 'No, I think that's too tall.' Until we finally picked a tree that was about 8 feet tall. I'm only about 5 feet or so, but I can stand on a chair or something.

I love Christmas morning! But we have a rule in our house that we have to get up no earlier than 7:00, and we can't open anything until we wake up mum & dad. So it's like this every year- we get up, dash over to our parents room, and wake them up with this super weird 'song' that we do on special days. It goes like this: 'Wake up it's _____ day, wake up it's _____ day! Wake up, wake up, wake up it's ____ day!' (you fill in the blank with the special day) and we'd repeat the song over and over until they got up. We also do that on mother's day, father's day, sometimes birthdays, and occasionally M.C.A.S. test days. It's such a weird tradition, but I love it! Then, we get downstairs, tare open the presents, and for some strange reason, we always go for the stocking first! Then we go for the stuff that's scattered in the middle of the living room, and the tree last. Poor tree.

Did you know that they made a brand new new years eve ball? It's true! It's twice the size of the one before, and has tons of little crystal triangles on it. It's green and red and will be on display all year long! Watch this year for the new ball to drop down to ring the celebration of 2009!!

If any of you are Jewish, I wish you a happy Hanukkah! :-)

Once again, happy holidays! It's a time of year to be joyful.

Seasons greetings from Sonja Heels. :) Stay warm.