They must be over

The holidays must be done because the closet where the knapsacks and work bags are stored is fairly empty today and because my scissors have made it back to my desk and are no longer buried under mounds of wrapping paper and ribbon.

Despite all the work and the flu bugs, we had a marvellous time - first cover to cover read for Seb, late nights, dvds, skating, theatre (Tea at the Palace by extraordinary Puppetmongers and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by two talented teens), relatives and out of town friends, big meals, grazing (check out the gorgeous gingerbread house), phone calls, presents (a baby doll! a foosball! magic sceptres?! vintage lego), board games (more presents!), pyjama mornings (and afternoons), fairy lights, purple hair, short hair, velvet, traditions (new pjs), hockey, love and laughter too.

Here are some of the best snaps.