Another part of Christmas that I always look forward to is helping my Mom decorate her home. It was especially fun this year because my kids were old enough to participate. There are very few things more heavenly than crawling under a lit, trimmed tree.
We did manage to take the kids to see Santa, although neither of them would go anywhere near his lap. Emma got close enough to let him know what she was hoping to get for Christmas, but Ben was not having any of it. The Citadel Santa is always so nice though, and this year he gave Emma and Ben their very own stuffed bear. Since we had driven all the way to the mall in a snowstorm just to visit Santa, and the kids spent about two seconds with him, we decided to stick around for a while and have some dinner.
My little Emma turned 4 this past December! We celebrated with a "Strawberry Shortcake" themed bowling party. She was so fun when it came to the preparation of this birthday. For months in advance she'd bring me a piece of paper and crayon and ask me to write out an invitation that would go something like, "Please come to my party. We are going to bowl, and then have a sleepover, and then eat pancakes and drink water." She was part of every single detail of this little party, right down to picking exactly what would go in the goody bags and which wrapping paper she'd like.
People have always warned me that time would fly- and it has. I never expected the joy of raising babies to be so equally saturated in heartbreak. But I'm thankful for the opportunity to be this little bug's Mom. She really is a unique person and one of the best gifts I've ever been given.
Since pancakes were on the agenda for her birthday, Emma and I sneaked away early that morning- just the two of us. The adorable conversation we shared in the McDonald's on the morning of her 4th birthday, matched with that little face, will always be one of my happiest memories.
I love how everything is so exciting when you're four. I mean...everything!
Trenton and I had a fun time making this cake. It was my Mom's cold oven pound cake recipe with fresh strawberry filling and butter-cream icing.
And of course, thanks to all of you for spoiling Emma with such perfect, little four year old girl presents!
The BEST part of this party was that when it was over- we left. There was no cleaning or fussing over spilled soda. It was a matter of packing up the gifts and balloons and going home to continue the celebration.
Later that evening a good majority of my nieces and nephews joined us for a sleepover. Emma was in heaven!
It was craziness. But fun!
On Christmas Eve we had a little impromptu tea-party at Montegue's before everyone went their separate ways for the night. Emma felt like a princess with her fancy tea cup and saucer and ginger-mint herbal tea.
Finally- after what seemed like an eternity of anticipation, it was Christmas Eve! We are so thankful to have the opportunity to share the holiday with both sides of the family, but it was truly special this year to be with Laurie and Darrel after all they had been through with their life-threatening motorcycle accident last summer.
This year's "be careful what you wish for" gift was for Trenton. He was given a quilt he's coveted since he lived with his Grandma as a kid. He hasn't even let me wash it since Christmas because he says it still smells like he remembers.
We finished our Christmas Eve on the couch with Trenton reading the kids, "The Night Before Christmas." Emma and Ben put out cookies, carrots, and apples for Santa and his reindeer, but decided to munch on the carrots during the story.
It took until 4 am, but Santa finally paid us a visit.
Christmas morning was HEAVENLY! Since Christmas fell on a Sunday we had church early that morning. I really appreciated the program at church and the sweet tone it set for the rest of the day. Once we got home we all got right back in our pajamas, made some orange-cinnamon rolls and omelets, and settled in for an afternoon of opening presents and napping.
Her excitement was so adorable!
She was very impressed that ALL of the cookies had been eaten!
Santa even left some toys for the animals.
Somehow the ONLY picture I managed to take at my Mom's later that night was this one. Which is such a shame because I really should have recorded how INSANELY PACKED her house was. It was hilarious- MADNESS- as we were trying to open presents and keep all the gifts straight. But it was also perfect. I wouldn't have had it any other way.
The week after Christmas my brother Bill and my niece Becca came out for a visit. It was so fun seeing them! I only wish I hadn't been so pregnant and feeling so awful that week. But we did manage to get together for my parents' 48th anniversary. This is how they celebrated.
I really don't know how to express how thankful I am to everyone for making this such a memorable Christmas. So I'll just say "thank you" for all the time, energy, goodies, presents, meals, and thoughtfulness that were spread throughout the season!
Until Next Time,
Janet, Trenton, Emma, Ben, and Baby
No comments:
Post a Comment