The day started off like any other: Angelo's cries, Emi's excited demands to get out of bed, breakfast, a light lunch... The night before, they'd managed to bake cookies and get some decorating done while Angelo slept soundly in his lullaby swing. Today, however, Angelo was constantly fussing, wanting to be coddled and nursed. Yet at last, he'd settled down, enabling Amanda to relax while Niels took over the cooking.
Hours later, Rico and Ceci arrived. Emi immediately began entertaining them, offering them cookies just to show off her decorating skills. Angelo awoke, refreshed and content, and once he was happily cooing in Ceci's arms, Isa and Zelda arrived and helped Amanda and Niels finish setting the dining table--just in time for the arrival of the parents, Eli, Belie and the littlest sister, Aubrey. Amanda couldn't believe how much their little sister had grown. At first, Aubrey was shy seeing so much family in one place again, but soon she was running around with Emi. Teun and Rosa awed over the newest grandchild of the family, marveling at his heart-melting smile and his sweet little coos. Rosa held him close, taking in that 'baby scent' that always made everything feel alright again. Then at last, they all gathered around the dining table to partake in the food prepared. Amanda looked around. Everyone seemed happy. Angelo lay quietly in Rosa's arms, fascinated by her necklace while Teun admired his tiny fingers, Rico and Ceci smiled at each other with utter adoration, Zelda and Isa chatted with Belie and Eli who they usually babysat, and Emi, sitting in her booster seat, tried to show Aubrey how to use a fork properly. Amanda beamed. Their first time hosting a Christmas gathering--even if it was an impromptu one--was a success. Indeed, it was a merry Christmas.
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Amanda at a GlanceNames: Amanda Pontremoli, Amanda van Loon Archives
August 2017
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