Christmas 2013

We had a very low key and wonderful Christmas at our home this year.  We were blessed to have Joe's Mom with us, and his sister and niece.  We haven't ever spent Christmas with his sister before, so this was a really special occasion for our family.  We spent the days that they were here with us laughing, talking, and eating.  And loving each other.  It was a wonderful Christmas.

We had our typical huge dinner on Christmas Eve, and a giant breakfast on Christmas morning.  We spent Christmas Day in our pajamas watching Christmas movies on TV, and watching the kids enjoy their gifts from us and from Santa.  Jack sang happy birthday to Jesus and we talked about the real meaning of Christmas.  My kids know the true meaning of Christmas.  I do agree it's hard to mix both Santa and religion with Christmas, but we seem to find a balance that works for us.  Our kids understand the true meaning of the day, but I don't plan to ever rob them of the joy that is Santa and presents.  

 I enjoy breakfast on Christmas morning far more than Christmas Eve dinner.  Hash brown casserole, breakfast pizza, shrimp and grits, cinnamon roll french toast, chocolate doughnut muffins and monkey bread.  And paper plates.  Let us not forget the paper plates.  No dishes for the women-folk on Christmas morning.   We were having none of that.  Look at that hungry baby.  Ha!

Thankfully Jack was really into Santa this year, and I really enjoyed watching him on Christmas morning.  Shoot, I enjoyed him on Christmas Eve, too.  We set out the cookies, made reindeer food and set it out with some water on the porch, and sang Christmas songs.  He was very sad though that Archie (our Elf) had to go back to the North Pole.  He cried.  I made a special rule on the fly that the children can give Archie a quick kiss goodbye on Christmas Eve and he won't lose his special powers.  That made Jack feel a whole lot better.  I don't buy into that whole "Elf reports back to Santa" thing, and Archie also doesn't commit any crimes or mess anything up while he's here.  Truth is, I think the whole elf thing is sort of creepy, but Justice really wanted one a few years ago after watching the show on TV so I caved.  We just have different rules for ours.  The kids simply enjoy his company for a few weeks, then he leaves.  I did have the opportunity to make Archie a scarf while he was here.  He got sick for a few days, and spent some quality down-time on the couch snuggled up under one of Jack's B's.

Jack swore up and down the reason he got sick was because I keep the house so cold at night (it's true, I do), and he thought a scarf would help keep him warm.  Of course, I obliged.  And Archie was healthy the rest of the time he was here.

I was REALLY glad that Christmas was finally here.  This little baby spent far too much time rustling around the base of the tree.  Opening presents, eating ornaments, and causing all sorts of problems.

While it took me four months to shop for gifts, it only took about an hour to open them all.  Everyone was happy.

Justice was very happy to receive a nice digital piano from Santa, it was definitely his favorite present.  He had been practicing on a borrowed and very old keyboard since he started piano lessons.  I wasn't about to invest in a quality musical instrument until I was sure he was ready to invest the same amount of time as I was money.

Jack got a Nintendo 3DS XL from Santa, but his favorite present was a really green outfit.  No shame in Jack's game, the more green the better.  He actually got lots of green stuff.

A green jacket.

And green Crocs.

Bo got a rocking thingie from Santa.  I think he likes it.

His favorite gift is a really loud and obnoxious (all the best toys are, right?) walker.

Open it, open it, open it!  He couldn't get into that box quickly enough.

Bo was very happy to play amongst all the wrapping paper and boxes on Christmas morning.  He had a great time.  Toys?  Who needs toys?

He also snacked on a little wrapping paper.  Yum.

Smiley baby on the move!

I love the looks on the boys faces when they open something they really like.

A box of Skylander figures.  

This was the problem-gift.  This darn video game.  I hunted everywhere for it and finally found it at Walmart of all places a few days before Christmas.  They had one copy, and it must have been someone else's return, because it hadn't been there for the whole month before that.  I was going to be in all sorts of trouble since this game was the ONLY thing on his wish list, other than "green clothes".   I was glad I found it.  

My family is obsessed with Converse shoes.  Always have been.  I've been wearing a pair of black Converse since high school.  They wear out, and I replace them.  Over, and over, and over again.  Joe REALLY likes them, I bet he has a dozen pair of different colors and styles.  Justice is equally obsessed.  He clearly likes the new black hi-tops he just opened.

Justice's scout leader has been beating it into his head that being a nerd is a good thing.  He has made Justice recite this phrase over and over again until he can recite it on cue.  Imagine how excited I was when I found it on a T-shirt.  Ha!  

Now keep in mind there are NO pictures of Shandi or my niece Kristian opening gifts.  You can see them on the left end of the couch, ignoring the camera and Shandi is even turned completely away from it hollering something about "don't get me in the picture!!!".  I had to toss that disclaimer in there for those of you that wonder whether Shandi is still alive.  Indeed she is, but doesn't like having her picture taken after only three hours of sleep.  The boys couldn't possibly care less.

The after-math.

It was indeed a blessing to spend a few days with our South Carolina family.  It was good for us to be together.  We laughed for hours on end, played games, and talked.  It was truly a wonderful Christmas.  I hope there are many more to come just like it.