Let me just say, this child was the holiday MVP.
![Petra, playing with Hairy Pawter by dangling cat toys for him to bat.](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21222033/PXL_20221205_141641269-806x1024.jpg)
I was…not feeling it this year. Partly, I think it was because we were so sick in early December, but also I was busier than usual with work, and … I don’t even know. I didn’t even bother with making an Advent wreath this year, which is usually one of my favorite things. We maybe put up some decorations on the mantle around the 20th or so?
But Petra kept reminding me that we needed to make birdseed ornaments and string popcorn for our feathered friends. She did nearly all of that herself.
![Birdseed ornaments and strung popcorn and cranberries on an evergreen tree (all of this gallery)](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21222404/PXL_20221221_210608387-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21222414/PXL_20221221_210624466.PORTRAIT-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21222420/PXL_20221221_210640735.PORTRAIT-768x1024.jpg)
She also helped me make shower fizzies to give to friends, reminded me that we needed to wrap presents, and suggested that we watch holiday movies.
She even decked the cat tree.
![Ribbons and bells on a cat tree](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21222858/PXL_20221225_211916626-1024x768.jpg)
![bows on a cat tree](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21222908/PXL_20221225_211924925-1024x768.jpg)
![Porco, in the cat tree, with a bow on his head, looking irritated.](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21222909/PXL_20221225_212006630-768x1024.jpg)
![Lyra, sleeping on the couch in the sunshine, with two red bows on her head and rainbows on her fur from a prism in the window.](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21222913/PXL_20221225_1749034282-1024x713.jpg)
For “actual Christmas,” we were at home, and the whole thing would have been “just another day” if it weren’t for her relentless elfing.
Silas and I went to the Christmas Eve service at church, while JC and Petra stayed home to set up the spread for Jólabókaflóð. It was quite a feast! Petra even made a Trogdor fruit plate.
![Petra looks on in pride as Silas ogles a table laden with charcuterie](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21223257/PXL_20221225_004217383-768x1024.jpg)
![Closer look at the food](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21223301/PXL_20221225_004214783-768x1024.jpg)
![tight shot of a plate with a dragon made out of fruit.](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21223303/PXL_20221225_0042105652-768x1024.jpg)
![Silas and Petra, on the couch, reading, with food on the table nearby.](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21223242/PXL_20221225_012811565-1024x768.jpg)
We had a pretty mellow, but beautiful time on Christmas day. The kids decided they wanted to open presents a few at a time, every hour or so, to make them last, so we did that. It allowed lots of time for savoring and enjoying each thing.
![Petra and Silas sitting on a blue couch. Silas is writing in a notebook while Petra looks on.](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21223512/PXL_20221222_1841525642-963x1024.jpg)
![Silas, on the couch, opening a gift.](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21223525/PXL_20221225_133705082-768x1024.jpg)
![Petra smiling at the Good Tickle Brain Holiday Song Book, which she has just received.](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21223541/PXL_20221225_1430527492-897x1024.jpg)
![Petra and Silas on the couch, trying to solve a tricky marble puzzle.](https://cinnamon-backup.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2023/01/21223546/PXL_20221225_164257465.PORTRAIT-1024x768.jpg)
I’m truly grateful Petra brought the holiday spirit this year.
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