Xmas project revealed

This picture of the sun rise was taken from our living room window as we had our coffee after the stockings and "Santa presents" had been explored and enjoyed. Not surprisingly, we were woken in the still-dark before 7 a.m. by a very excited six year old. This was the year for her. The year to still believe, the year to appreciate gifts, the year to listen for jingle bells, the year to have trouble sleeping, the year to be crying happy tears because the day was so wonderful. Can't beat that.

We did have a wonderful day. Several rounds of gift giving and visits with assorted relatives, spread throughout the day. No real melt-downs and lots of excitement. I'm sure I'll be sharing lots of pictures soon. But this one was caught today and I had to post it right away.

Introducing, Sammy's Pad:

This is Emma & Daddy's super-secret project. And this is Sammy (or maybe Freddy, his best friend. Emma can tell them apart, but I'm never sure). Sammy's Pad is a full-service buffet style restaurant serving peanuts, mixed squirrel food, and water. It's hard to see the details, but there are evenly spaced treads on the floor to keep Sammy and his pals from slipping, a removable roof for shelter (with tension wire on the back to keep roof-climbing squirrels from flipping it over), and a water-proof sealer that will act as a base paint later in the year, so Emma can give it a custom paint job.

Emma came up with the idea for this project, designed it, and, as you've seen in previous posts, did as much of the construction as was remotely safe. Sammy is a squirrel that lives in the trees behind Gramma & Papa's house and routinely comes up to the door looking for peanuts. Emma has been enthralled by him for years and decided he needed a more efficient food-procuring method. The gift was a hit with everyone. Especially Sammy.