With all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, so many seemed so overwhelmed! Over and over again at work, in stores, talking with friends, I heard, "I can't wait for Christmas to just be Over!" WHHHHAAAT? Why? It's all so much fun! I can completely see how some would be overwhelmed with the shopping, crowds and the lists of things you're "suppose to do". I get that, I just wasn't that person this year. This year I was the mom with a plan. I had made a mental note of everything I wanted to accomplish with the kids and I am happy to say I give myself a solid A-...
After thanksgiving we had our lovely Elf show up.
Ginger Stalker (named by the big kids obviously), returned from the North Pole to keep an eye on the kids. Now, I vowed to make sure Ginger was creative in her placement and I did do that the first three days...Then she got boring... Then I worked and Josh forgot her in the tree for three nights. Luckily Ginger made up for it by bringing a few holiday themed books and even dressed up a time or two. Every single morning, even when in the same place, Gianna would run in our room yelling, "Mom you HAVE to come see Ginger!" Even on sleep-in mornings she would wake up and the first thing out of her mouth would be, "Anyone find Ginger yet, no? OK I will find her."
That was pure fun, which makes me excited to know I have quite a few years left of believing....
This was the first year I let the kids watch Christmas Vacation, it was a hit. I actually went and bought it so we can store it and watch it again each year. Movies was an item on my list. I LOVE Christmas movies, always have, so I wanted to watch as many as possible with the kids. We put a pretty good dent in the list watching one a night on the weekends and the last few days leading up to Christmas. One night while watching Home Alone we ordered pizza (10pm) and ate it my bed, laughing away. I hope that's a memory they store away because it's a good one for me. Next up on the list was a Christmas Card. The first picture posted was the one we sent out but here's a few of the rejects that I still love.
So this was suppose to be a great day....Let me take it back a few days...
Gianna is 5. She does not give you notes from the teacher, you have to physically go through her bag to see what the week holds. I have explained this to Josh a dozen times; however, he ignored this advice, did not check her bag and did not find the note that states Santa would be visiting the school for pictures. Gianna needed money to buy a picture in order to see Santa.... Gianna went to school with no money, no Santa and came home crying. That night Ginger brought a letter to Gigi from Santa explaining he missed her at school but he'd be in Fresno Saturday if she was available... We promised Gigi that Saturday would be the day! It started off strong taking our Christmas card picture, then we were going to meet Santa, have a family dinner, drive Christmas Tree Lane and finally put up our tree.
Card- check
Drive to Fresno- check
In line to see Santa- ch---not so fast!
As we stood in line, Josh answers his phone to a call out, awe the joys of being married to a cop. We had to leave right then and head home. Gigi didn't understand anything other than Santa was out of reach, daddy had to work and the day was ruined. She cried little tears all the way to the car, not throwing a fit tears, just sad, heart breaking tears.... It just broke my heart and the fact was with work, school and life- I needed that family day more than she needed Santa. I needed little laughs, smiles and excitement..We both cried all the way home...I took the big kids to dinner alone and I nearly killed myself putting up the tree so they could do some decorating and all was well again.
The following week we did make it Santa, dinner and Christmas Tree Lane and it was all magical and Josh was back in good graces with his daughter.
Fortunately the twins didn't feel the need for anything other than one another's binkies...
and the month went on...
One evening we had the Stickles Family over and made salt dough hand print ornaments; although, Lane refused to not squeeze the dough, so we got his foot.
We also painted some wood ornaments for fun and our amazing babysitter Morgan brought over a Gingerbread house to make with the kids.
I was proud that Ty did all of the little activities without a complaint that he was to old for it. Ty was a great help in keeping the believing going.
It's getting harder to keep these babies in arms at the same time but they are finally holding on to me and each other which helps
Charlies Mohawk
Penny deep in thought
Kisses always big and wet
Before we knew it Christmas Eve was here and we some how ended up hosting. Josh smoked a Prime Rib and of course I did all the yummy sides. I made some sugar cookies for the kids to frost for Santa.
Gigi and cousin Richard should be twins. Their stuck like glue and look so much a like.
I wasn't making the frosting fast enough for these two
Santa's treat
When all the fun was complete and the family was gone we headed to The Sumner Family's, which is our second family. I didn't get a single picture and that makes me so sad! No pictures but lots of laughs and presents and babies crawling all over the house. The Sumners are the tad bit older version of us, minus the twins. They have an adult son, and two daughters in college (one is our awesome sitter). They are always there when we need them and refer to our kids as their fake grandkids. I know that some of my kids fondest Christmas memories will include their amazing family.
Last minute shopping, it was buy one get one free, so I went ahead and took two.
CHRISTMAS IS HERE!
The twins loved every minute! They loved presents and toys but most of all they loved their stockings that contained a cuddly Catapiller and Mouse that were material books (Hungry Catapiller and If you Give a Mouse a Cookie) BUT MOST OF ALL NEW BINKIES! We put three new binkies in their stockings and you would have thought they were in heaven, switching out binkie after binkie.
Each year the kids buy for each other and that always seems to be their favorite part and best wrapping, lots of tape!
This picture is priceless to me
And below are the pictures of the favorite gifts, their faces say it all
So no friends, I am not glad it's over! We had such a wonderful time and I feel like we made some amazing memories and even if the kids forget it all, I never will...
So here we are about to start the New Year, maybe I'll start thinking about a resolution...or maybe not...
Much love from our family to yours!
