I’ve had a wonderful week with my parents, both sisters, and my youngest sister’s husband and two boys… we had a ton of fun.  LK’s boys are just a few years younger than my girls, so Delta gets a chance to be the big one for a while.  They’ve played Halo 3 and other assorted XBox games well into the night at my mother’s house, and engaged in some sort of Wii free-for-all at our house Wednesday afternoon.

With the kids all thoroughly entertained, that gave the adults a little time to just sit and catch up.  I enjoyed that.

Somewhere along the line — probably in those last few days of frantic shopping — I picked up a gift that I’d just as soon return: a cold.  The good old-fashioned winter cold, complete with aches and a feeling that my throat has been stripped raw.  But, it’s okay — I have my tea, and my schedule today is light.  Tomorrow, LK and her crew will drive back to Houston; Alpha’s returning to her apartment at UT tonight.

Middle sister KD is going back to Bristol on Sunday.  It was wonderful to see them all, to know that everyone is thriving.

I’ve missed my friends this week, but after the hectic schedule of the holiday subsides, we’ll plan a quiet evening somewhere along the way.  It’s about time.  Might have to learn to play Texas Hold-Em, so that HWTFM can get some use out of that spiffy new card set.

Next week, we’ll get to visit with siblings and cousins from HIS side of the family — and another good time will be had by all.