I’ve challenged my 6th graders to a Slice-A-Day during our winter break…I will attempt to keep up with the challenge as well!

It’s Christmas Eve. My favorite day of the year. When I was young, Santa came on Christmas Eve because we left early on Christmas morning to drive to my grandma’s.

Getting ready for Christmas Eve dinner, setting the table, I have always loved the anticipation! I got dressed up.  I had the job of slicing pickles and putting them in a little dish with a little fork. I helped set the table. Our Christmas candles were out – santa shapes, I think. The memory is faded, but the feeling is still there…special candles.

As my mom’s family arrived, I’m sure I raced to the door to welcome them in — and to check for gifts tucked under their arms.

Dinner was in the dining room. The house wasn’t big  and the dining room was right next to the living room. My grandpa, his girlfriend, my aunt and my uncle would be there for dinner, and as the only kid at the table, I know I was a little bored and a lot anxious. Every so often I would jump out of my seat to go check if there were presents under the tree. I would shush people when I thought I heard boots on the roof. Dinner felt like years.

Suddenly, I would hear bells jingling. I’d jump from my chair and run to the living room. There would be the gifts. Magic. Every year. Magic.

Merry Christmas!