Christmas is magical with children, however, as I write this I'm counting patiently so I don't lash out at my children as they fight and cry and whine. Really, it's been over the top lately and I'm ready to pull my hair out! But, I digress....Christmas was wonderful! Since we no longer get together with my family on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, Aaron and I have tried to create our own family traditions. I don't know why it's a challenge since I grew up having Christmas with just my family. We didn't go to grandparents either, and we'd love to spend Christmas in California with family there, but that is challenging too. I had WONDERFUL family traditions growing up. Some of my favorites were Christmas caroling on Christmas Eve, pulling taffy, sleeping together with all my siblings on the floor and waking up at 5:00 to open presents, egg-ala-golden-rod breakfast, listening to the Christmas story told by dad.
Here's what we did.
A yummy, candlelight dinner
A hilarious game of brown paper bag. (rules: stand on one leg and bend down to pick up bag with teeth. Cut shorter once everyone has a turn. Winner is the one who can pick it up without falling. Nathan won....Aaron was a super close second. I face planted into the ground).
Even Joe thought we were pretty funny.
Poor Abby was sick and couldn't play. She did a lot of this.
We finished our Advent Calendar of Scriptures about the Savior's birth. And put the food out for Santa's Reindeer.
Opened one gift. Hannah got a movie from Grandma Lombardo; Nathan got a cool pen from Hannah; Abby opened a necklace made for her by Hannah.
Lastly, it was "The Polar Express" movie and plate of goodies for Santa. We were skimpy on Santa's treats this year. I'm sure he didn't mind.
At 1:00 Santa finally came.
Luckily, our kids haven't adopted my family tradition of waking up at 5am to open presents. I think it was 8:00. I was terrible getting any good pictures of them opening presents. It was more fun to just watch them. They were SOOO excited!
Favorite gifts:
Sewing Machine for Hannah
Radio Control Helicopter for Nathan (he's in love with it)
A 'fur real' puppy for Abigail (couldn't flip this picture for some reason)
And of course, we had our traditional egg-ala-golden-rod
Aaron and I enjoyed going to the movie, "Les Miserables" and both cried. I sobbed, he cried. I'm so grateful for life, for freedom, for love, for family, for food, for a home, for kindness, for God.
We ended our night with singing "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night" in the dark with a single candle. Magical!
So even though today is another day of chaos and crying, yesterday was wonderful and the Christmas Spirit was here. And I was happy. And it was a very Merry Christmas.
