Mayhem in Christmas Village

Life is usually quiet here with an empty nest, so a visit from one of our adult sons makes things more exciting. Both visiting at the same time doubles the fun. That’s my experience this Christmas.

I have a Christmas village that my husband started for me several years ago. It’s grown a little each Christmas and this year, between my husband and my sons, three more builidings were added. Here’s what it looks like with the new additions. I think I need a bigger space for next year.

Now for the mayhem part of the story. When my younger son was in college, he made quite a game of causing chaos in the village. I would walk by and find the baby carriage overturned or the children kidnapped. I had to check carefully to see what might happen next. When he moved away, life became quite tame in the village. It seems with both sons here, it’s no longer safe for the residents. The game is afoot once more.

It seems that the local baker is quite despondent and is threatening to jump, cake and all, unless the police officer can stop her. The spectators below are watching the action.

There was a two vehicle accident with casualties.

And finally, there is a vicious dog attacking the poor fellow who is trying to string his Christmas lights.

Soon the holidays will be over and my sons will go back to their respective lives and Christmas village will be safe again – until next year (I hope).

Making Lemonade

Why is it that things seem to happen in bunches? In the span of a week the dryer broke, the truck wouldn't start, the stove took forever to boil water and an idiot light came on in my car. Of course all this happened right before Christmas and just when both my sons were coming home for the holidays and my elderly mother was hospitalized and then sent to rehab. It should have been enough to put me over the edge, but actually there was a bright side. Two vehicles and four drivers meant having to travel together to shop and do other errands - lots of visiting can be done in the car. And, believe it or not, the broken dryer meant taking the wet clothes to the laudromat and an hour of uninterrupted knitting. All in all, not a bad deal. My mom is out of rehab and both vehicles will be back from repair today and the stove is being repaired as I write this. That still leaves quiet time at the laundromat. Maybe I'll finish Daniel' sweater.