As it is for so many others, I have to split up Christmas into several pieces and traditions. Mom’s Christmas in Alabama is Mission: Accomplished. I scored big with a ton of cooking gear, clothes, and toys for Kava. Today, I will embark on the three hour drive with Kava to the Florida Christmas with my dad. Just a few hours ago, I thoroughly enjoyed the annual reunion with my five (usually nine, but schedules were conflicted) best friends from elementary school.

2001…From left to right: Anne, Kate, me, Carey, Kelsey, Maria, Mallory, Kelly, Camille, and Danielle.

2009…From left to right: (Top Row) Maria, Camille, Kelsey, and me. (Bottom Row) Danielle and Carey.

Since we were in fifth grade, we have gotten together over Christmas for a slumber party and anger/theft-inducing game of Dirty Santa. Over the years, the slumbering and games have been dropped, and we have added things like vandalism (rolling our eighth grade teacher’s house, etc.) and assorted debauchery. Oh, and one time we ate Bott’s Every Flavor Beans while wearing Harry Potter glasses.

This year, we met up for a potluck. This is what it escalated to:

Wade in the Water, Why Don’t You? from alexi eileen on Vimeo.

So, enjoy our vocal performance. Merry Christmas from me & Kava the Destroyer…