Christmas

The day before Christmas Eve was supposed to be a day off from work with a little light cleaning, playing games and waiting for the party to arrive from Oklahoma but it turned into more than I bargained for. I ended up having to put my cat Lucy to sleep. The decision was made that day and I spent at least 6 hours crying. In fact they let me out the back door of the vet because apparently I wasn't appropriate for the normal clients. That much crying wears a person out. I was puffy eyed and tired the rest of the evening but we were still able to enjoy the latter part of the evening once Lele, Popie, Uncle Jason and Aunt Jennie arrived by watching the first Star Wars together as planned. This was the first time either of the boys had seen the show and I was worried it would be too scary, especially for Case, but everyone loved the movie. This movie was a monumentous occasion and a moment Uncle Jason had been looking forward to for the past couple years. Uncle Jason is the ultimate Star Wars fan and I promised him the boys wouldn't watch the movie without him years ago. The wait did not disappoint.

 

Christmas Eve produced a long list of unexpected errands: a trip to Home Depot, 2 trips to Walmart, Southern Maid Donut shop, ABBA eye care and the mall for pictures with Santa. Apparently none of Santa's elfs showed up to work the photo booth so there was only one person working along Santa which meant the line was LONG. We go every year on Christmas Eve and have never had to wait longer than 3 or 4 people. Well, after an hour in line it became apparent we might not make the cut off before Santa took an hour lunch break. Everyone celebrated when our family made it to the red carpet. We were the LAST people to see Santa before she closed the line! I considered that a Christmas miracle. Santa took the boys handwritten Christmas list and told them he would put it in their stockings when he visited our house later that evening.

Apparently our trip to the mall wore everyone out because when we got home half of our crew dispersed for naps before we started up the games. We played a laundry list of games: How many post it notes can you stick on your face in 1 minute. This was actually much harder than expected! Jennie pulled ahead for the win with 18 sticky notes in a tie breaker match against Popie. How many times can you bounce a balloon on your head. (again, surprisingly difficult). We thought Case was a shoe in for the win with 12 head bounces but then Cody came in and and blew the competition out of the water with something crazy, like 40 bounces. What the????? How did he do that? Did he grow up in the circus or something? We tried to eat a cookie off our face which made for some very fun photo ops. Can you pop a balloon under your shirt without using your hands. This was supposed to be a solo competition, first person to pop their balloon wins, but when the boys didn't want to play the game we coupled off and the photos turned a little dirty looking but this game was a lot of laughs. We flipped water bottles and then later knocked them over with pantyhose hanging from our head. We also had several relay races of poop the potato. And finally everyone participated in a 5 minute race where we dressed the boys as snowmen in crepe paper and any another accessories we could find. The adults loved this one but the boys were a bit miserable and hot after being covered in paper. We ended the evening decorating santa cookies and taking a brief family trip around the neighborhood in the new car Holy Guacamole looking at Christmas lights. Everyone even joined in sang Jingle Bell Rock together when it played on the radio.

Christmas day Case woke up at 4:15 and managed to sneak downstairs despite my attempt to make a barricade on top of the stairs out of wrapping paper. Santa kept his promise and left the Christmas list next to his eaten cookies and empty milk cup. He also left a mess of footprints leading from the chimney to the Christmas tree! As messy as it was, I actually loved them. Santa gave the boys Power Rangers, Star Wars figures, board games and battle bots. The boys opened up Wild Kratt costumes and figurines, OSU shirts, checkers, watches, more Power Rangers and Star Wars figures. Lele was gifted a beautiful vase, clothes and bathroom accessories. Popie opened up a golf ball holder, work lamp and magnifying glass and hand weights. Aunt Jennie received cast iron skillet, some jewelry, books and CD's. Uncle Jason got gift certificates, DVD's and pictures/memoriabilia from Frances Esch. Daddy received a flag pole, belt, watch, suitcase, saw and heater. I received a fountain for my office, pillows for the bedroom and new hardware for the kitchen. For lunch we feasted on all things not good for us before everyone retreated to afternoon naps. For dinner we ate dessert (a whole table full of pies, cookies, cake and candy). After naps everyone retreated back downstairs in the basement where we watched the second Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back before everyone fell into bed exhausted from the entire weekend. We had a wonderful white Christmas in Colorado with family and fun. It is always so wonderful to be surrounded by people you love, sharing fun, traditions and memories. Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! 

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