Twas the night after Christmas and all through the house...

...not a creature was stirring. Not even my two crazy children who are best known for their freakish ability to stay awake against all odds! Yes. It's true. My kids are asleep before 9:30. Actually, they were both asleep before 8:45. Abby zonked out on my lap while watching a movie at 7:30 and Alex passed out almost as quickly once his head hit his pillow. So as I sit here and listen to the dryer as it prepares me for yet another load of laundry, I ask myself: What do I do with my extra free time? Actually, I must admit that it's a bit strange not hearing the unending post-bedtime questions and requests. As I sat down to flip on my laptop, I had to mentally check to see if I was awake or dreaming that it was so quiet in my house. Not that I'm unhappy to have both kids sleeping so peacefully in their beds so early. But when you're used to constant noise, the silence can be deafening. In fact, it's so strangely deafening that I think I might go turn on a movie. And what better way to break the silence than with a good ol' battle sequence of Middle Earth? Nothin' like a few good orc deaths to brighten you up after the holiday season, eh? Besides, Viggo Mortensen alone makes the three hour movie worth watching (wink, wink). So, I'm off to enjoy some Lord of the Rings, folks. It's been far too long and I mustn't keep my hobbits waiting.