Christmas was a wonderful week of lovely celebration. The kids got gifts from our very close friends to start the holidays off right. B&A are usually the first gifts the kids get this time of year, it is kind of turning into a tradition. HM initially was TERRIFIED of the talking Nemo they had picked out, but is now quite in love. We travelled a couple hours away to see my dear friend, T, who was visiting from far away Texas. She is recently engaged and brought her adorable fiancee, who didn't seem at all phased by my 4 sweet rug rats. We visited with them at T's parent's house, which was great, because I got to see all of her family. I spent many a Christmas break at their house, and they will always be family to me. While in the area we visited with my parents and bestowed upon them a little C craziness to add to the holiday cheer. We also accomplished our first hotel stay/over night away from home since HM came home. I must say all seemed to go very smoothly. It is funny how routine and structured HM can be and at the same time just rolls with the flow of things. I think fun was had by all, I know my parents were happy to have us, and probably just as happy to see us head home. It's ok, I understand.
I must add that while the holidays brings busyness and chaos to every one's home life, it also brings ABSOLUTE insanity to my work world. So while trying to squeeze in some Christmas cheer, my co-workers and I were busy, busy, BUSY little elves. Makes you appreciate your days off, and having people you really like to work with!
Anywho, we spent Christmas Eve, just us, the 6 Cs. I must say it was quiet and relaxing, I mean as quiet and relaxing as it ever is here. The kids opened new jammies, or MeeMee's as HM calls them, and headed off to bed. Christmas, S's mother, stepfather, and brother came over to enjoy a little C chaos for themselves. The kids were adequately elated and overjoyed with all of their prizes. However, I must mention that Santa left them a note letting them know that he does watch all.the.way.until Christmas Eve! I see an elf reporter in our future.
From Christmas Day until that following Friday, was pretty much a blur. Fevers somewhere in there, crazy work, RIDICULOUS snow, wait that might have been before Christmas...see BLUR. That Friday my mom came up to take P out for a birthday celebration. My sister and dad were unable to make it, but the 6 C's and GG make a party anyway. We ventured to a restaurant, which we never do. An interesting thing happened. While there, a lady at the table next to us was very interested in us and HM, his story, where he was from, how long he had been home. All kind, appropriate sweet questions. She complemented us on our beautiful family (I know) and then out of the blue came over and gave each kid a gift card to a local store. She said her family had been through a lot that year and had been blessed and she saw our kids and wanted to bless them. She told us to take them to the store and let them pick something out. I was shocked and touched, and probably didn't handle it well, because all I said was "Thank you!" I will pay it forward soon in honor of her.
Anyway, Christmas Day for me is the one week mark to my FAVORITE holiday ever, at least since 2007.
MY precious, sweet baby boy, P, entered this world on New Years Day 2007. He was in fact the "New Years Baby" of that year at our hospital, and he didn't show up until 5:25pm. We had been waiting for him at the hospital since the afternoon before. What he taught me that day, 1st was that you can't enter the world ear first and 2nd, having him would make New Years Day my new favorite holiday. He is 6, S-I-X people, I can't believe it! He is tall, has lost teeth, can read and constructs Legos like he was born to. He is a momma's boy, and I LOVE it. I have a sister....and 4 female cousins. Having P brought so many new things to my world. So, having babbled on about that, New Years Eve he set out to make it to watch the ball drop. Last year he tried and passed out on the floor in front of the couch at 11:30pm. Despite my best efforts he didn't make it then. But this year!!! He napped and was ready to go, and he made it! Not sure it was all he expected it to be but he did it. We have amazing, fabulous, patient, kind friends who are willing to hang out at our house on NYE even though they don't have kids and could easily be anywhere else having a great time. So P had a lot of Happy Birthdays as soon as the clock struck midnight. Then we all went o bed by 12:05.
Cake the next day a couple presents and then back to work for the rest of the week. The end of our Holiday extravaganza comes at P's party, which was the following Saturday. This is the point where I wonder how we make it. 18, yes 1-8 kids came over for a Lego party. It was loud, really, really loud. And it was a BLAST. S made an amazing cake, and Lego head marshmallow things...he rocks. The kids built Legos and colored and screamed. We sugared them up and sent them home. Good times!
Now we are back into the routine of life and it is all settling back down. We have some exciting things on the horizon...I am really looking forward to February....
OK here are some pics...birthday pics coming soon.
