Olympic Oval Christmas Party

Tonight we attended the Olympic Oval Christmas Party.  This is always a fun one as it is fun for the whole family.  As soon as we arrived the kids jumped onto the bouncy house and didn't get off until it was time for supper.  After supper, a little more jumping before Santa arrived for his visit.  Jaret was excited to sit on his lap as he remembered that it also meant a little treat bag was given afterward.  However, he did say to me that he wasn't sure he wanted to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas again since he already told him at the mall a couple of weeks ago.  Kirra, on the other hand, didn't want to even get close to Santa.  So she sat and cuddled with a former co-worker of Terry's.
Then is was time to take advantage of having the whole Olympic Oval to ourselves and enjoy some time on the ice.  I unfortunately, didn't take my skates, and wish that I had as everyone was having so much fun skating.  Kirra even got skates on and tried skating for the very first time.  It was so adorable. 
It was a late night and by the time we got home, and the kids were exhausted.  We got them into pj's, brushed teeth, and cuddled into bed.  After the news of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, we just wanted to hold tight to the kids.  It was hard to even leave their side; we held them tight, told them again and again how much we loved them, and then prayed over them.  I can't even imagine the immense loss that the parents in Newtown are feeling tonight.  How many of us are not taking the blessing of hugging our children for granted this evening?  My heart is broken for the parents, grandparents, brothers, and sisters who lost a child in this shooting.  My heart aches for the families that have been broken apart from a family member who died today.  May our disbelief, grief, and heartache unite us and help us to fight for peace as we work to provide a better future for our children.  Praying for the families.