Forget the summer solstice, Christmas Eve was the longest day of the year. The Boy asked 100 times when it was going to be Christmas Eve, and I told him 100 times "today is Christmas Eve." Then he'd respond "but when is it going to be NIGHT?" You and me both, buddy. On Christmas Eve Eve he decided that if Christmas is about giving he'd like to get a gift for Santa's elves. WHO can say no to that? I let The Boy pick out elf presents when we needed to go to CVS. He chose some Monsters, Inc. monsters, which he decided he could play with before the elves came.
The rest of the day vacillated between anticipation and irritation for all involved. We threatened at one point to cancel all of Christmas. We were going to church at 5:00. About 3:30 The Husband asked if we could leave yet. We got the boys ready in their Christmas sweaters in 75 degree rainy weather. Walking outside felt like being in a boy's locker room. This is where I'd want to get a picture, but everyone was whiney. One was sitting in a corner like Little Jack Horner, so that his brother couldn't get his snack. The other was tired and frustrated that you have no power when you're one.
I asked The Boy if he wanted to make a holiday video of him singing a Christmas song. He did, and I placed him strategically in front of the scenic fireplace, the stocking holders spelling out PEACE behind him. But then when I pressed record his song was all about butts and I walked out of the room, a director on strike over an actor being unprofessional.
We went to church and The Boy's class joined the big kids' Christmas pageant to sing This Little Light of Mine. Somehow a 3 year old girl got a hold of the mic, and while all the kids were singing her voice was loudest. Then maybe the other kids realized that she was the songstress, and they all got louder until they were yell-singing I'M GONNA LET IT SHINE all on top of each other.
BeYoYo was thrilled that grandparents were there, and he grunted to be passed back and forth between them. While the congregation sang Silent Night he shreiked and shrilled, and was anything but. I thought to myself it was a good thing that Jesus came as a baby because he would appreciate this. When the pastor was explaining that all are welcome to the communion table, The Boy started to get up and walk toward the front. I told him it wasn't time yet, and he said "but mom, I'm just going to the nativity scene." I shook my head and gave him The Mom Eyes, and he said too loudly "but MOM! The animals here aren't breakable!" Apparently he was planning to go up and play with the nativity scene during the service. It was all very The-Greatest-Christmas-Pageant.
By the time we got to The Husband's grandmother's house BeYoYo had fallen asleep in the car. We woke him up and took him in to eat and play with cousins.The kids played and ran through the house and thoroughly enjoyed each other. They opened gifts and it was loud and chaotic. Kids yelled for parents to open things. Parents yelled "who was this from? Did you tell them thank you?" Kids yelled their thank yous robotically, while searching for the next gift.
Thankfully both boys fell asleep on the way home. We paused to let them tell the elf goodbye and carried them straight to bed. We went soon after. Santa came in the night and left a few gifts for the boys. The Boy was happy, and said "can you believe Santa got me everything I wanted?!" Santa had brought exactly 4 things, and I smiled a mama smile inside knowing that Santa had not brought the hot air balloon or other elaborate things he'd wanted, and he was content all the same. For a minute at least.
The Husband and I got BeYoYo a seat for my bike, and The Boy a 4 wheeler from Craigslist. I figure with the money we saved we can pay for all the urgent care bills we're sure to accrue. We all went outside to play in our pajamas, and neighbors had gotten crazy carts, which they were playing with in the cul-de-sac too. The Boy got mud all over his appliquéd Christmas pajamas while digging for worms, and they are now ruined. I tried SO hard not to let that bother me. Apparently making children come inside to change clothes is not the spirit of the season.
 |
| Christmas Day worm |
Later on Christmas Day more grandparents came over with more gifts. Aunts and uncles too. The boys got matching spiderman pjs that they immediately put on and left on for almost 36 hours.
The next day we were back at the mother-in-law's house for more gifts and cousin play. Then the next day we went to Atlanta to be with my family at my cousin's brand new house- more gifts and cousins and fun and chaos and karaoke. One of my boys bled on one rug, another got red velvet on another. I walked in the kitchen to find The Boy fully outstretched on the island, helping himself to some cookies out of his reach.
Someone this holiday season posted a Brene Brown quote that said "the magic is in the mess." If that's true we're the David Copperfield of the holidays. Deep breaths.
 |
| This picture is a little perfect for a quote on messiness, don't you think? |
The holidays are a whirlwind for us. They are busy, they are exhausting, but they are fun. Mostly. Here's our version of Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.
Riding around the cul-de-sac
letting the wind blow through our hair
Who do you want to bet will be
The first to go to urgent care?
You will get a sinking feeling when you hear
Grandma and Santa bought the same Darth Vader,
you mixed up the lists this year!
Rocking around the Christmas Tree
All the cousins having fun
Line them up for the paparazzi
Two elves are better than one
Rocking around the karaoke machine
Which song are you going to sing?
Which kid just ruined their brand new rug?
And can you pass mama a drink?
You will get a vicarious hernia when you see
All these gifts the boys were given
Blame the grandparents, don't blame me!
Rocking around the Christmas Tree
We're drowning in Dinotrux
Star Wars, Ninja Turtles, Superman
All the pieces make me want to cuss
Rocking around the Christmas Tree
Our only caroling is about butts
The baby got a remote control dog that poops
These boys are making me nuts
You will get a nauseous feeling when you hear
Sure it's been more than two days, but can't we just wear our spiderman pjs?
Somebody remind mama at the next holiday
Toss out the expectations
This is our new old fashion way......
No comments:
Post a Comment