We're getting into the swing of the holidays. Which mean social engagements every weekend and occasionally during the week, too. Pretty exhausting, if you ask me! Jennifer got Magda a fancy Advent Calendar and she's always excited when she gets to open another door in the morning.

Although it's hard getting out of bed, I really have been enjoying the cold weather. Last Saturday, we went to the Capitol Tree Lighting and afterwards I got to go caroling with my old Madrigal buddies on Congress Avenue. It was lots of fun, the people loved it, and we actually got paid for doing it! I miss choral singing around this time of year. Most of the people in the group are choir geeks that still have musical outlets, but I never get to do that anymore, so I was grateful to get the chance to sing that way again.

Jennifer also picked up a couple of Christmas in Song books at Alpha Music (it happens to be the same music we used for caroling in Madrigal -- pleasant, not-to-hard SATB arrangements of classical Christmas fare without a hint of Frosty or Rudolph).

So now, for dinner, we light our Advent Wreath and after we've eaten we sing a couple of carols. Magda has a blast with it, and occasionally requests that I sing "comfort and joy" (Go Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen).

Carols are nice and good, but her favorite holiday song is the Dreidel Song which I actually learned years ago from watching South Park's The Spirit of Christmas. Oy vey!