I am on my way home after spending the holidays with family so I have a little different format this week.

I am only in Swansea but we did not get the threat of snow. We have had no sun either. One day was good enough to go out with the kids and their big wheels and that was it.

Happy Birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Having birthdays during the holidays is a hard but I know families take great care in trying to make them special.

I spent the holidays looking at Christmas through the eyes of a five-year old, three-year old and a one-and-a-half year old. The oldest one was excited and very inquisitive, wondering how Santa got down the chimney, how he went around the world so fast, how could he eat so many cookies, and is he really going to bring me what I asked for. Of course Santa was good and brought him the things he asked for.

The three-year old was excited but still was not knowing what was about to happen. It showed as he came down to the tree in the morning, saw the presents, turned to his mother, and asked if he could have a snack. Then he opened his Thomas the Train tower and was so excited. The toy never stopped for the next two days.

The one-and-a-half year old went along with the excitement as she opened her toys, baby doll, and JJ — her favorite TV character — who performs a lot of sing-a-longs.

It was a fun day and all were exhausted by the end of the day. Family gathered, all tested negative, and we had a great meal and fun time with cousins.

We celebrated New Year’s Eve at home. The biggest thing of the night was keeping the nine-year old and five-year old awake to see the mysterious ball drop. They were trying to figure out how the ball was going to fall: t was glass and it would not break at the end. They made it and seem to be impressed but were very tired and wanted to go to bed.

It was great; it was busy; we are all tired, I am looking forward to being home but it is going to be very quiet and I am not looking forward to that.

Happy New Year. I hope you have a very happy and healthy year.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.