Daddy Tree: Tiny Footsteps

Willow's first Christmas was a blast! She had lots of time with friends and family, in Henderson and Springfield, Tenn., and in Bowling Green, Ky. She enjoyed her time with grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles and cousins. We spent the weekend before Christmas in Henderson, where we celebrated Christmas at Mo's house and at Mamaw's and Pop's house. I think Willow's favorite gift from there was her rocking horse (see pictures below). Then during Christmas weekend, we spent Saturday at Aunt Jan's house in Bowling Green, where Willow netted "Peanut," one of her new and most favorite toys. And on Sunday, Christmas came! We hosted Christmas for my side of the family this year, which meant Uncle Jeff and Aunt Bethany, and Mimi and Papaw and cousins Rett and Bristol spent Christmas Eve and Day at our house. Willow loved being with her cousins as they came into the living room to see what Santa had left (including a light saber that Willow took a keen...

My loving wife used to have The New York Times delivered to our house on weekends. The delivery was a gift to me. But it was expensive, and we simply couldn't afford it after I gave up my job to become a stay-at-home dad. I've missed the paper (it always helped me slow down and enjoy my weekends just a little more), but I've gotten along just fine without it. Then it popped back into my life recently. On two recent Saturday mornings, The New York Times was waiting at the bottom of our driveway. Then it showed up again this Sunday. I started suspected somebody had renewed our subscription as a Christmas present. But so far, the top suspects for such an act of kindness have said they didn't do it (at least they haven't fessed up). So I've been left wondering why I'm getting the paper again. Could it be a peace offering from the house elf who abandoned me? Or is the missing house elf letting me have a taste of the old life before ripping the paper out f...

We didn't even put a Christmas tree up last year. Our house was on the market, and we didn't want the living room to appear smaller to prospective buyers (of which there were none, it turns out). As it turns out, we're quite happy to be in this house, even if Che's commute is ridiculous. The house is a good size for our family to grow, and we feel comfortable and safe in it. And it has become our home. So this year, we're putting the tree up, and we're even having family come for Christmas weekend. We're even putting up lights. Actually, we were excited about having Willow's first Christmas at our home, we've succumbed to the excitement. We had to see the look on her face when she saw the tree and the bright lights. Yes, we've put out our decorations, put up our tree and strung the lights out front. We couldn't help ourselves. Christmas is here at our house. And it's going to be a long and memorable celebration. Merry Christmas!