The men got haircuts. Yes, Eileen does haircuts too. And beard trims. The weak, thin, pathetic strands that remain on my head have been clipped, and you'll all be happy to know that the beard has been groomed. Good news for everyone who has seem me in the last few weeks (months?) and wondered whether I was living on locusts and wild honey. And it's one less thing for Josefina to grab and pull on my face.
John Paul really didn't need one, but he likes his hair short. Then he went to study for an exam he has tomorrow.
Josefina was in an exceptionally silly mood. Was it the sugar-glazed apple dumpling she had for dessert? She was whooping it up all over the place, but then (of course), a few minutes later, was curling up with Mommy.
When Lucia saw me she said, "Daddy what happened to you?" I said, "Lucia, why don't you say, 'Father, you look so handsome with your new haircut'?" But all she said in reply was, "we can't braid it into horns anymore!"
We settled down to banter a bit, and then prayed the Rosary and our night prayer, and everyone (except Jojo, of course) stayed awake through the whole thing. The prayer life of the Janaro family is looking up.
There was the usual psychological wrestling match with each child to make sure that teeth were brushed...and flossed.
Tonight we read from Anne of Green Gables, and Daddy did the presentation. "Don't try to do the voices; just read it normal," the kids groaned. Everyone is allowed to be a ham except me! Okay.
By the end of the chapter, two girls were asleep. Another big day of school for Mommy and kids tomorrow (the usual half-day / Montessori work period for three of the girls), which means the chaos of getting everyone out the door and then a few hours of quiet. And then afternoon buddy-time with Josefina.
Eileen and I watched some news. The last troops are coming home from Iraq. It is December 14, 2011. Then my wife and I prayed together and she too went to sleep. I am glad she is not pulling a late nigher tonight.
Now I sit and listen to the sounds of the house: digital clocks, some cricket somewhere, and what sounds like the water coming on, but is just the blower of the central heating.
We have so much. We are so grateful.
