1. This was a difficult birthday.  The blues kicked my ass hard, and unexpectedly.
2. Christmas, however, was better than I thought it would be.
3. Liam was the happiest kid in the world on Christmas, and it has lasted all week.
4. It does my heart such good to see him so appreciative of every single gift.  From pencils to video games, turtlenecks to books to his much-coveted toy chainsaw, it was all good in his eyes.
5. I kept the kaleidoscope.  I love it.
6. My sisters and niece were able to come for two nights instead of one, which was the best present of all.
7. I gave them all nicely framed photographs that I had taken.  They seemed to like them a lot. 
8. This one was for T, this one for B and this one for N.  I even found great-looking frames on sale!
9. Now that I've made it through Christmas, it's time to plan Liam's birthday party.
10. I can hardly believe my sweet boy is turning seven.
11. It's raining right now, complete with thunder and lightning. 
12. My friend Grant told me that a thunderstorm in winter means snow within 30 days.  I surely do hope he was wrong.
13. I also hope it doesn't rain all damned day today.  I've been cooped up for days and really need to get outside, preferably on the beach.

Leanne is the keeper of the Thursday Thirteen flame.  Go say hello, and check out her TT blogroll, too.

Comments

[colleen]

I'm so happy you have a new kaleidescope too! Thanks for coming over, dude.

[Uisce]

We had a winter thunderstorm on monday. It was really creepy!

[Julia]

Heh. I'd love to go look at Leanne's website, but the Net Nanny at work has classified it as Criminal Skills.

We had a thunderstorm on Monday, too. It's unnerving to have those when there's a foot of snow on the ground.

[Shelli]

Thanks for coming by My 13. Happy birthday to you and to Liam, whenever his is.

[Lily Bleu]

My Thursday Thirteen: http://lilybleu.net/blog/?p=229

I would love it if my friends and family gave me framed photographs they took for Christmas. Of course them getting me things off my Amazon wishlist made me very happy too. :)

[kenju]

The old wives tale around here is that thunder and lightning in January mean snow within 9 days.

[Leanne]

I am so sorry that I missed stopping by on your birthday. I wrote it down, too, with every intention of coming over. Happy belated Birthday, know that I was thinking of you on your special day!

I'm glad you had a good Christmas! You have some wonderful photography to share, it's the perfect gift indeed. :)
xoxox

[emily]

Glad Christmas went well and I hope Liam has an awesome birthday.

[Laurie]

I think that it is so cool that we experienced the same thunderstorm!

[MommaK]

Thunderstorms in the winter are always an event. Glad you were able to enjoy Christmas with your wonderful family. Happy New Year!! xo