Dear Arianna, January 6, 2013

Dear Arianna,
    Today is what I'd call laid-back Christmas.  January 6th is the Twelfth Day of Christmas, Three Kings Day, or the Feast of the Epiphany, depending upon what you'd like to call it or where you are from.  For your Mommy's side of the family, it is Tres Reyes, and for me it is a holiday that I never had growing up, but happily celebrate now.
    We started the day at Saint Bernadette's, where you were upset that you were not called forward as an alter attendant.  When we tried to explain that you had to be in the fourth grade, you said it wasn't fair because you were old enough and were learning how to read and could follow instructions.  Just when we got you calmed down from that, you and Mommy went up for the communion, where you then got upset that you couldn't take one of those tasty wafers  again because you are too young.  Sweetie, sometimes I swear that you are five going on sixteen!  I guess I was the same way when I was your age.  I remember thinking at Indiana Beach how unfair it was that I could not ride some rides that I thought that I was old enough for.
    Luckily, we lifted your spirits by reminding you that your cousins were coming over today for Three Kings and you would finally get to open the present that Padrino Ron and Tia Evelyn sent you that has been sitting by the tree since Tuesday.  Everyone made it form your Mommy's family, including your Uncle Carlos and Aunt Vanessa, who often times don't get to come because of work.  You'll never see five large pizzas go as quickly as they did today.  There was also homemade chocolate malts & rice pudding, which were enjoyed my all.  Finally, there was the fun part of dessert, the rosca de reyes, and we found three this year that didn't taste horrible.  Uncle Tony, Raven, Scarlett, Carlos, and Tiffiney pulled out the five baby Jesii out of the cakes, so they will be bringing over the food for February 2nd.  You were upset that you didn't get a baby Jesus in your slice, so Mommy had to fool you and hide Uncle Tony's Jesus in your slice when you weren't looking!

Baby Jesus hanging out with George

    When people were starting to go home, Turlough got himself tangled up in the lights again, so it was time to take down the tree.  The Twelfth Day of Christmas seems like a good as time as any to take down the Christmas Tree and lights.  We'll miss the bright colors, but we have to make sure our kittens are safe.  Turlough made sure to help us while taking the tree down.

Turlough, professional tree trimmer

    Finally, your present.  You were desperate to open it while your cousins were here, and was very excited to see that it was a telescope.  You were not so excited when we told you you would have to wait until everyone went home before I unboxed it and set it up, and even more unexcited when you had to wait until. we took the tree down.  But, it was all worth the wait.  It was much nicer than any telescope I ever had, and we will have a lot of fun with it.  Because the night is so cloudy, all we could look at was tree branches close up, but that was good enough for us!  Thanks to its backpack, we can take it with us to Indiana or Michigan, away from the light pollution and look at the stars and moon.  A big thanks to your Tio & Tia, you loved it and can't wait till we can see more than tree branches and the shingles of the garage!

The First Veterinarian on Mars

    I can't wait for many years of star gazing with you.

Love,
Daddy