The evening commute was not to be out done. I was lucky to reach the Sudbury river before the light was gone.

Intense fog on the way into work this morning. I love this particular vista and am determined to capture it in every season. Click on the photo for a larger version.

This evening, Nico’s indoor soccer team played for the championship of their division. They won their semi-final match by a score of 3-0. In the finals, regulation play ended in a 1-1 tie. Sudden death overtime also ended in a tie, so the championship came down to penalty kicks. Nico was first to the line for his team and scored with a perfectly placed shot to the lower left inside post. Westford, their opponent responded with a score. Next Greg also drilled a goal to the lower left. Westford responded in kind. Unfortunately, our final penalty taker missed and Westford’s did not so the team finished second in a very close contest. Never the less, Nico had a great game and we were both proud of his efforts.

On Mondays and Wednesdays we do not allow TV. As a result, I often find the children more willing to let me take their photos on these evenings. Last night Maya and I had a lot of fun together.

St. Lucia is an Italian saint who has been adopted by the Swedes. She is associated with the idea of light. In the middle ages, December 13 fell on the longest day of the year. This holiday celebrates the fact that the days will now start getting shorter. The candles and (yellow) saffron bread represent light, the bare feet represent charity, and the red sash represents the wound she suffered at the hands of her fiancé after she gave away her dowry to the poor.

Today we celebrated St. Lucia Day. In Swedish tradition, the oldest girl of the family wears a white dress with a red ribbon around her waist and a wreath of candles on her head while serving coffee (hot chocolate in out case) and special saffron bread to the rest of the family.

Child #2 was half asleep while eating breakfast (literally). There is a fork with scrambled eggs on it approaching his mouth as I took this photo.

Our tree angel has been with us for more than a decade. Every year, I struggle to get her positioned just right. This year, for the first time, I think I was successful. Nicolai was in charge of our first fire of the year and did a nice job starting it from scratch (my use of a propane torch to start fires, while extremely efficient, is viewed with varying degrees of contempt by most of the family). Family night concluded with chocolate fondue over pound cake, apples, pineapple, and tangerines. The family was too impatient to permit a proper photo of what was a beautiful dessert.

Jeanine was in charge of family night this evening and selected tree trimming for the activity. Please note that Maya was dressed in her night gown. She announced this morning that she wanted to relax all day and that she would not be changing into day clothes. Earlier in the day, Jeanine and I went on a long walk during which she introduced me to a hidden trail by an abandoned railroad track which traverses a number of beautiful marshes. Sometimes, I can not believe we live in the midst of such beauty. I was without my camera unfortunately, and therefore have a good excuse to make the hike again.

Another breakaway, this time with a defender breathing down his neck. After the game, we went out for lunch, did a little Christmas shopping, discussed the value of a younger sister to post college dating strategies, and I explained the terms or our estate plan to him (yes, a very strange combination of topics and activities).

Kyle comes up with a nice steel against Brookline this morning. His team won by one point with a basket in the final 8 seconds of the game.

Maya was also engrossed with this weaver and her loom. Maya observed with great interest and when tested could recite all of the steps, including the sequencing of the pedals, necessary to operate the loom. Constructing a loom would be a fascinating woodworking project and if I can ever find the time, I know it would be put to good use by at lease two members of the family.

Maya posing by one of the Christmas trees featuring traditional Swedish ornaments made from straw.

Maya watched this woman painting a plate for more than half an hour. She was very friendly and Maya was not the least bit bashful about engaging her in conversation.