I love being at the kids school right before the holidays. I remember the excitement in the air at Northridge Elelementary, making the Christmas crafts, playing in the snow at recess, changing out of my moon boots etc. There was a certain energy in the air I could almost smell. (was it glitter and glue?) I purposely signed up to help in Eli's class for his Christmas party so I could be there. There was a school sing-a-long that morning the parents weren't necessarily invited to, but could certainly come, so I figured if I was going anyway I may as well watch my boys sing the songs they've been learning and telling me about.
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| Front Room |
I'm not sure what happened that morning, but I wasn't quite ready and Jon announced he was going over to the school to see the boys. Fine with me, I was worried I'd miss it. He came home and said he was able to see the last few minutes and was grateful to catch them on their way back from class so they'd know he had been there. I took my time getting to the school, knowing they'd have a morning recess before the party. I was remembering last year, the last day before Christmas break, I helped in Adren's first grade Christmas party, it had snowed so much the night before, there was such excitement about it. After Adren's party I checked him out before school was out and we went on a little outing to get him some winter boots and gloves, and we were both so excited for the break to start.
I peeked in Eli's class, they were still out to recess, but his teacher was there, and was so sorry, but the party was right after the sing-a-long, and felt so bad I didn't get the message. I think I had, I just hadn't taken notes during the phone call. I felt bad I wasn't there to offer my help, and worried that Eli was sad I hadn't shown up. So I peeked out on the playground to say hi, and before you know it, he'd rounded up Adren and we were heading home early for Christmas break.
I think this was a sign of what was to come~ everything seemed off this year. I have so loved the past Christmas breaks, and was eager to re-create the magic, but hard as I tried, it just seemed off. For one, there was no snow. NONE. We kept thinking we'd get something. Also, my thoughts were with Granny, knowing her life was winding down, this would probably be her last~ it seemed every time my mom called I wondered if this was the call. I had some fun crafts stashed away for the break: Icing a gingerbread house, check; Painting Christmas houses~ never happened. Just never happened. Dunno.
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| I've finally learned, I put together the house, using the icing, the night before, let it set for the next day. It actually stays together! Yay! |
Then there was this neat snow experiment I wanted to try, but Zeke spilled it all over the floor, so had to bag that one. Oh well, the kids were just glad to be out of school, and I was ready. Jon had taken everyone out for a day so I could get all of my last minute sneaky things done. Sooo sweet and helpful of him. The day before Christmas Eve I was busy~ busy: baking for Christmas Eve dinner, putting together a soup for that night's Taylor Christmas party, last minute gifts for neighbors and family, gobs of end-of-year Primary preparations, cleaning, cleaning etc. I worked hard in hopes of being able to relax more on Christmas Eve and enjoy the day~ no luck. I seemed to be even busier and have more to do. I like to be bustling in the kitchen baking, the kids giddy with the yummy smells and tasting everything. The kids just couldn't believe their countdown chains were down to ONE. I finally put some presents out under the tree, I knew little Zeke would be too tortured any earlier. We let them open one~ The First Gift of Christmas!~ we called it. A Christmas train for under the tree!
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| Zeke would clear branches and make sure the path was clear. |
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| Everyone helped to set up the track. |
This was loved and adored the entire day~ and day's to come. I know they'll love pulling that out next year. (thanks, Porters!)
We stuck to tradition and loaded up in the van that evening to see the lights. We really do enjoy this as a family, and Jon and I were commenting how it seems we just did this last week~ has it really been a full year??? We have done this for eight years!
The ride home is even more exciting because we know the Whitmore's and Gertrude and Granny and Grandpa Geertsen will be there waiting for us. Lot's of squealing and hugs! Dinner was delicious, Eliza and I contributed to a tasty meal: Honey Glazed Ham, Cheesy Potatoes, homemade rolls, green salad, vegetables, and Eliza's sweet potatoes~ and a sparkly drink to go with. I felt bad for Will, he wasn't feeling well, and took it easy on the couch.
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| Zeke kept taking breaks to play with that train... |
Eliza and I always contribute a batch so there is enough to go around.
After this we move on to a quiet moment together, as we talk about the true meaning of Christmas, and Jesus' birth. I had Eli open a present from Mommy and Daddy, a neat book about the Savior, with beautiful pictures. After that we watched Luke 2. Everyone headed home after that. Christmas was almost here!
The kids unwrapped some super cute and cozy pj's. I found footed ones for the big boys and they loved them.
They also unwrapped Granny and Grandpa Taylor's gifts. So sweet.
Jon helped track Santa's sleigh online, and they anxiously kept track of where he was at. We set out the cookies, milk and carrots on the special Christmas Tree plate and red goblet, and it was off to bed!
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| I tell you, that train was a real hit! |
They fell asleep pretty quick, I turned off their lights, closed their doors, and attached the sleigh bells to the door knobs, just in case...
I thought set-up would be a breeze~ nothing to assemble this year! Until the cardboard clubhouse! That dern thing kept collapsing, and wouldn't you know, I didn't think of stocking up on shipping tape. The family room looked beautiful, I couldn't help taking a seat and take it all in...
Jon was almost ready head to toe when the kids stirred that morning~ he had early morning meetings, after all. I must add here that I heard footsteps downstairs, checked the boys room to see the door was open and Eli was gone! He snuck back upstairs and then started to wake everyone. I didn't let on I knew what he'd done, but his comments to everyone were obvious. "I'm going to check the front room! I think there's something in there!" (we had a little chit-chat later about that) We had to wait a bit for dad, which was driving them crazy! We had already talked about how we were not opening anything until after church. The kids lined up, youngest to oldest, and waited for dad to call. I was dying to see how little Zeke would react, with his older siblings so excited. Well, that little boy would not budge. He planted himself at the top of the stairs, and the kids couldn't go without him. I'd say, let's go down and see, Zeke, and he'd say, "No, too scary". I think we'd hyped it up too much and he didn't know what to expect. I finally had to carry him.
He got over it fast. The main toy they had all been wishing for all month was sitting, unwrapped, front and center: Adren a remote helicopter, Eli a remote car, Paisley, two barbies, and a little farm set for Zeke.
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| "Back View" of the room. |
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| Santa really drank his milk! |
At this point Jon had to get going, so we all had to step away from the room piled with presents and get ready for church. It was quite frazzling on my own, and while in the shower I'd hear Paisley say, "Mom, Zeke is unwrapping presents downstairs!" Ahhhhh! By the time we were all pulled together and ready to go, the boys had been shaking and poking at enough presents to accurately guess several. Ahhhh! This is not how I envisioned things. We were actually on time for church, and it was a beautiful meeting. So beautiful. The talks were inspiring, the chorus lovely, the primary children sounded great, and I felt the spirit so strongly. Jon and I both agreed it is such a great way to start out Christmas Day. A line from a talk stuck with me: "Christmas is what you make of it". The kids did great for the most part, I thought little Eli would burst by the end. They really did great. What sweeties.
Back at home, before I knew it, the kids had their presents in piles, dying to dive in. So much for wrapping like things in matching paper so they could open in order and at the same time. It was all chaos, not how I had planned at all. Zeke was just grabbing at anything he could find, Paisley couldn't tell what was for her, and was starting to get sad when every gift she'd pick up wasn't for her. I'd completely lost control. Ahhhh! Alas, everything got opened and everyone was happy with their treasures. (Note to self: Do it TOTALLY different next year)
More chaos to ensue, as Jon and I help cut open boxes, undo a bazillion twisty-ties, unscrew, insert batteries, read "How to Assemble and Operate" manuals etc. Then bliss as everyone happily explores and plays.
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| This boy has loved his Elmo doll. |
We were visited that day by Gertrude, and Grandpa and Grandma Geertsen, arms full of gifts. So sweet. I think they were pooped, having had a full day of traveling from house to house after their meetings, but it's always so fun to have them over. The kids were excitedly showing them their treasures, and it was hard to chat over their shouts, the train whistle blowing, the wind-up cars, the guns (I know, I'm a glutton for punishment) I finally asked the kids to refrain from pulling the triggers on the guns while we were talking. I kept hearing Zeke's new little keyboard getting tinkered with, I'd look around, but none of the kids were holding it. We'd keep visiting, then I'd hear more keys being played, finally I looked behind me to see it was Gertrude, shakily playing the keys!
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| Tender. |
The next day Granny and Grandpa Taylor paid a visit, on their way home from Elko with the Goulding's. More shrieking, more showing gifts.....
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| Granny checking out the new Kinnect. I wish I got one of her jumping shots. |
Jon and I eventually had to give the boys an excuse to go in their room to discover the TV mounted on their wall~ yipee!
It still feels off, with the no snow~ I'm remembering last year showering at noon, putting jammies on, keeping the curtains drawn, Jon home all day, only leaving the house when eventually we'd run out of milk. Not so this year. Jon has been busy, working early and full days, and it seems we've (or I've) had somewhere to go each day and things I have to get done. It's ok. I just need to be open with my expectations. ("Christmas is what you make of it!") I am so grateful to have my family near, happy, healthy kids, Jon's job, ~ (a hard workin' honey), a cozy warm house, and the ability to put on a Christmas for my kids. I think of my Granny Woolf and Gertrude, all the years they've spent hustling about, planning, baking, serving and giving, and this year they were both too old to do a thing. When that is me one day, I'd like to think I made the most of these years. I'm grateful for the knowledge I have of my Savior and to be able to testify this to my children. I hope they can pass this on to their children. I loved the books I read this past month on the Savior, it helped me ponder his life on earth, the life of His mother and father, to think about the birth of Christ, and all that entailed. What a blessing that is to me to think about my relationship with my Savior. I love Christmas time. All that matters, I have. Merry Christmas 2011~!
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| This was my favorite view~ sitting in the front room, looking into the family room. |