A Clean, well lighted place

This is the title of a popular short story by "Papa" Hemingway. But it could also be used to describe 35 Military Ave as of late--I dont mean "clean" in the "let's all vacuum and dust" kind of way...and I dont mean "well lighted" in the sense that we have great light displacing windows. What I mean, in my roundabout sort of way, is that our home has been blessed with so many great, healthy, and memorable visits and visitors as of late. And, to me, that makes our home both clean and well lighted. So yeah.

Papa and Auntie KK were going to have a father/daughter trip up to Maine to meet little Maira, but a pretty bad snowstorm (that, as usual, stayed south of us) kept them down there. Plus Papa was--and still is--sick. So perhaps this weekend or next? But on Friday, we had my former student Sara over; she used to babysit Callum quite a bit, and she wanted to see both him and Maira. So she did. But what was really great was how she stayed after the kids were both asleep; we just talked and caught up and had a great time. One of the many blessings of being a teacher.

Callum really enjoys the company of his sister, and he wants to be near her a lot. He even wants her to watch Aristocats with him, trying to drag her 'fun chair' close to his big chair so they can watch shows together..... Saturday night was a good Maine Saturday night, complete with a visit from Dave and Muriel, some fish chowder I made, some delicious cornbread Muriel made, and some popovers with jelly that Amanda made. Dave, tickled pink, got to hold Maira--who slept soundly--for well over an hour. I think he enjoyed it (haha). We never even got to play a game; we just sat around the stove, doing puzzles with Callum, talking, and enjoying each other's company--the best type of visit!
BaBa finally decided to come back from New Jersey (since he knew there would be riots when the Eagles inevitably lost--and they DID--to my Packers) and today we all gathered here for "baba Christmas." He made some stuffed peckers and stuffed cabbage (for me). Lynne made a meatloaf. And, to Callum's everlasting joy, we opened more presents! These came in the form of gifts from BaBa, as well as ones from the Dovey's and Chimiego's.
Add all of this with the fact that Callum got in a great snowshoe at the Quarry Road yesterday, and it equals a great weekend. We just really missed Dad and Kristin coming up. But we'll see them soon.

Maira is one month old today! Wow. That was fast (that's what she....). She is growing up very fast, already fitting into some three month outfits, smiling a couple of times (genuine--not gas induced) and lifting her head like a champ! Our pretty little girl....