A Very Merry Christmas!

“Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.” - Margaret Thatcher

The kids arrived home early from school yesterday and so started our Christmas vacation.  There are still presents to wrap and baking to be done and it will all get done before the big day.  For now it is the anticipation.  I think the kids being home increases that anticipation.

I think our Christmas's are like a summer family get together and Thanksgiving combined.  It is less formal than Thanksgiving, more fun like a summer get together, but with the food, family and friends in all their good/bad glory.  And yet it still reminds us of how much we have to be thankful for.

And we will get that twofold this year.  Christmas Eve is going to be a quiet time for us, the man, #2 children and myself.  The kids will go to bed and then the man.   I will turn off the tv and unplug the colored lights. With some carols playing softly in the background and with just the white lights on, I will sit in the rocking chair, either watching the lights or knitting, and think of whatever else needs to be done. 

Christmas morning will start with #2 daughter waking us far before she should (an a plus for trying every year)!  #1 son and his gf will be arriving, stockings will be opened and breakfast eaten.  Then slowly, each one getting a turn, the presents will be opened.  Oh the anticipation of wanting to open a certain present and having it pushed back under the tree in leiu of another your parent wants you to open! So frustrating as a child and yet so deliciously evil doing it as an adult.

Later we usually have ham and salads so we have time to just relax and be with each other.  This year we will be having salads and pulled pork and then #1 daughter and her bf will arrive in the evening.  Cookies and eggnog galore.

Saturday will start much like Friday did.  #1 daughter wants the whole Christmas morning hoopla.  Christmas is her favorite holiday and she doesn't want to miss the whole family thing but realizes her bf needs to do the same with his family.  So we will wake, #1 son and his gf will arrive and breakfast will be eaten.  Then slowly, each one getting a turn, the presents will be open.  But after that everything changes.  We will dine on ham and duck.  #1 requested duck years ago and it has become a new tradition.  Then we will have time to relax and spend time together or go visit friends.

Sunday is leftovers!  I foresee a huge pot of corn chowder with the leftover ham.  Then at some point #1 and Sir T will leave with the grandkittens in tow.  The man will go to bed as he has to work on Monday, the kids will go to bed and then I will turn off the tv and unplug the colored lights.  With some carols playing softly in the background and with just the white lights on, I will sit in the rocking chair, either watching the lights or knitting,  and appreciate the whole time we had together.



Welcome, Christmas, bring your cheer. Cheer to all Whos far and near. Christmas Day is in our grasp so long as we have hands to clasp. Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we. Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart and hand in hand. ~ The Grinch Who Stole Christmas quote