December 15, 2010
Our lads are not exactly 10 lords a leaping, rather a herd of elves, eagerly tumbling toward Christmas. There were a few years where we were missing one of this merry band, which caused consternation among my little decorators. It was pointed out to me that I do not disassemble the Christmas tree in a respectful, reverential manner. I do not dust each ornament and decoration. Nor do I and wrap them lovingly in acid-free tissue paper. By the time Epiphany rolls around I am the only one who cleans up all the trappings of Christmas. I employ the Grinch's method of stripping the Whos' walls and refrigerators - rapid fire tossing into the nearest container. Which results in some items going missing for years at a time. The formerly small decorators can come home from college this year, knowing that Santa is coming to town, and all of his elves will be here to greet him.