Why wait until the end?

Over the last few months, we've had many "blogworthy" moments, but the holidays finally motivated us to re-boot The Honeychurch Chronicles.  There's New Year's Resolution #1: start blogging again.  Happy New Year, everyone!

We celebrated post-Christmas in Palm Springs with a wonderful family dinner.  It was a fancy dinner with candlelight and cloth napkins and whatnot.  So, of course, Anna wore her red flannel nightgown with a faux cheetah fur poncho.  We are at the height of fashion.  But back to the dinner -- it was multiple courses with superb wine and, most impressively, sorbet served in between courses.

Sorbet!  In the middle of dinner?!?  The girls are absolutely flabbergasted that we've kept this culinary highlight from them for all these years.  Why don't we eat dessert in the middle of every meal?  Why doesn't everyone eat dessert in the middle of their meal?  Why should anyone wait until the end?

That was when we had a family brainstorm:  we should start a dessert blog focused on sweets that go well in between courses.  And we're going to call it "Why wait until the end?" (That was Anna's genius contribution.)  Ok, so it's a bit of a niche audience, but the research requirements alone make it a worthwhile endeavor.  Watch for it here.  There's New Year's Resolution #2: eat more dessert.

2009 was a tumultuous year for the world, but on the whole a very good year for our family.  We spent a lot of time together this past summer.  While some of our family have had some health issues and we've lost some dear relatives, we have also grown closer, made new friends and gained a stray cat named Lulu and a North American box turtle named Noodle.  We are happy, healthy and thriving.  New Year's Resolution #3:  keep doing that.

Here are the rest of our resolutions.

Sophie's Resolution: Sophie had an absolutely tremendous soccer season last fall.  She plays offense and defense and is a real thinking athlete.  Her New Year's Resolution is to score a goal off a team other than the Cheetahs.

Anna's Resolution:  Sometimes it is hard getting up in the morning. Or finishing our breakfast.  Or brushing our teeth.  Or finding an outfit that suits us.  Or finding a pair of socks that feel right.  This can make us late.  Anna's New Year's Resolution is to get to school on time.

Daddy's Resolution: Ed juggles many, many things.  From running his company (watch out Razor) to coaching Anna's soccer team (go Falcons!) to exercising every day.  His New Year's Resolution is to work smarter so that he has even more time to get things done and play with us.

Mommy's Resolution: Nicole tweaked her back over the holidays.  And it wasn't doing anything glamourous like tripping the light fantastic or something noble like saving a child from a well.  She was lifting the Thanksgiving turkey.  That's just sad and lame and there's really no other explanation than that she's getting old.  So, Nicole's New Year's Resolution is to exercise at least twice a week.

We'll let you know how the resolving goes this year.  Hope you all find joy and laughter in 2010!

P.S. Thanks to Aunt Dee for the beautiful holiday photo above.