How do you sum up magic in a few words? You don't, really, but I sure can try. I'm not one of those people who ever lost the Christmas magic in between the time that the big, red-hatted, fur-trimmed man came down the chimney of my childhood home and him coming down the chimney in my kids' house. I have pretty much felt the holly, jolly spirit for every one of my 36 years (in spades). Nonetheless, you add in a few kids and the magnificence explodes approximately ornaments times Christmas cookies to equal carols plus presents. I know my math and that's a lot.
After a hectic early December, we intentionally slowed down and tried to absorb and enjoy the holidays. Sure, it's always busy until the cookies and carrots are by the fireplace but planning for the last minute stuff means you get to enjoy the hustle and bustle. I really do love Christmas (have I mentioned that? For the record, I also think we should wrap a lot more things than just presents. Maybe we could wrap clean Tupperware... I enjoy wrapping an indecent amount). I spent a lot of last year intentionally slowing down and when you can actually do it, it feels good. It feels good to smell the smells and hear the music and watch the lights twinkle. Sure, there's a lot of commercial stuff but it's also surprisingly easy to bring the family and the friends and the joy back to the center. Santa is a good guy, he really is, and wants the holiday to be about the little things -- the laughter, the dinners, the catching up, the traditions. I know it. He and I are tight.
This is, believe it or not, the very first year that we have spent an entire Christmas day at home. For me, Christmas is more about being with your people are so I'm a little nutty in not being totally wedded to being at your own house for the big unveiling, but I will admit that not packing and shipping stuff was pretty nice for a year. It sure was a happy holiday and we had some very happy small people (and a few big ones) wandering around here for the past several weeks. Between grandparents and uncles and aunts and all those near and far who were with us in spirit, it was a very, very happy day. We had more happy times in the days following as we joined cousins and more aunts and uncles but true to form, I have zero pictures. I was truly living in the present...
Getting ready for Santa... apparently he's not the only one who has to eat. And apparently I need to work on my white balance. Sorry for it looking like high noon in these pictures.
Jolly elf numero uno.
Remember, he's going to be a hockey player when he grows up. And now he's ready.
The present unwrapping bandit. He was everywhere there was wrapping paper.
Like I said...
Continuing an old (do you see these oldies?!) tradition... the patriarch reading The Night Before Christmas.
Apparently, some people still enjoy making the appropriate sound effects when the narrator "threw open the sash". Classy, I know.
So, I do not encourage pre-7 am waking any day of the year. No exceptions. We woke these two monkeys up because other people had ants in their pants to get the holiday party started. And then we made them wait at the top of the stairs.
Getting restless.
Perhaps wondering why we dragged her out of bed.
Because you can't start the morning without this picture!
Ready to rumble.
You can't pay for these expressions.
I mean, c'mon. So cute... except for my ridiculous lighting.
Surveying...
Classically getting stuck on the first thing she opened...
Ahhhh... nothing says Christmas like something very sharp.
Apparently, Santa wisened up and put skate guards on this pair.
Adding to our assorted holiday headgear.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Observing the chaos.
The grand finale.
2 comments:
It was a very fun Christmas, even though we had to wait for the small people to wake up!
Looks amazing and super fun for all! I really want to learn your secrets for making little people sleep late….. mine haven't learned that trick yet!
Post a Comment