A haphazard run-down of Christmas Joys

Kevin and I are so thankful to live near our families.  It allows us to spend Christmas Day with both sides and makes for a full-to-brimming dose of joy.

We started our Christmas with my family---a Christmas Eve overnight at the Richardson house complete with Carbonnades a Flamande and Fettucine Alfredo for dinner, Christmas stories by the light of the tree and cookies for Santa.

Source:  http://www.fashion-era.com/images/xmas/xmas_traditions/xmasvicalb40.jpg

Speaking of the jolly old man (tangent alert, skip ahead after brackets if so desired).

[Kevin and I have been very open with Jacob on the whole Santa thing.  Kevin was disturbed upon learning that Santa wasn't "real" in the whole riding-on-a-sleigh-visiting-all-the-houses-in-the-world thing.  It led to questioning all the other pretend characters like Tooth Fairy,  Easter Bunny, etc.  and worried if we did Santa with Jacob he might ultimately question the veracity of Jesus.

He felt very strongly about not "doing Santa" and  I will admit,  it made me a bit sad not to be setting out cookies and listening for sleigh bells, but I respected Kevin's strong opinion on the matter.

However, parenting is a finely-balanced dance of intent and flexibility. 

We had many conversations with Jacob about the stereotypical Santa being an imagination game, with everyone pretending in excitement and anticipation.  We affirmed that there was a real St. Nicholas who, when he was alive,  brought gifts to people in the quiet, dark night and that we commemorate Jesus' birth in this same spirit of generousity and gratitude.

Jacob knew that it was a pretend game.  But brother wanted to play that game and play it up.  He said he didn't want to miss out and, although we had been open and honest with him, he wanted to pretend with reckless abandon.

And so, pretend we did.]

Christmas day came quickly after just a few hours' sleep....(even though we had presents wrapped and ready early, there's always that reluctance to go to bed, to prolong the quiet visiting, re-living Christmases past and wondering at where the years have gone).  The kids were amazed at the presents, falling to the ground in feigned fainting and quickly popping up for stockings.

Present opening was a slow affair, with breaks for food and naps, and of course some drama in the mix.  With a history of challenges that could rival the most sordid of Lifetime Originals, we can't seem to break free of the drama, but it stems from love or else it means we don't care, right?  ;)

 

Linda Hamilton crackin' me up 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner was the most delectable rib roast I have ever tasted.  Cooked to a perfect rare/medium rare and mouth-watering flavor, it just melted in the mouth.  With all the tasty accoutrements, it was a lovely Christmas meal.

Then, at 9:00 we set off for the 3.5 hour drive to Terre Haute.  Jacob read his new geography book, then Mommy told a homespun rendition of the Nativity story from the eyes of Shlomo, a little shepherd boy who pay homage to the baby Jesus.

Completely unrelated (aside from the shared name), how wicked is this???

We arrived in Terre Haute around 12:30/12:45 and, after Jacob's excited persistence, we opened presents until about 2:00.  The kiddos were wide-awake and happily soaking in the love and attention from Nana, Papa and Auntie Kathleen.

Today was a slow day.  Ceci slept until 8:30, Mommy slept until 10:00.  We had Mass, a visit with Great Nana and Great Auntie Annie, naps all around and then an ever-bustling Haley gathering.

All in all it's been a wonderful beginning to the Christmas season.  Blessings to all!!!