Survived

Christmas is over. We made it. The day before felt like a long, drawn out panic attack. Too much - too much to do, too much to plan. And then, the evening traditions fell apart - the Santa Clause movie was MISSING. As in nowhere to be found. Personally, I think we tossed the VHS version thinking we had it on DVD - but we either don't have it on DVD OR we had it and have misplaced it. We searched high and low with no success. B. is just SO locked into his traditions - he was freaking out. Generally making us all miserable about it. So we made a trip to Blockbuster in search of the movie and they didn't have it either. We drove around looking at lights (and the kids were shocked and seemed upset when I shared that we started that tradition as a way to get them sleepy so they'd go to bed earlier) and then had cocoa and went to bed. J. and I were still up until after midnight wrapping and doing the 'Santa' thing. I fretted that it didn't look like much under the tree.

When the kids were little, J. would take them to Visalia to visit his folks the day after Thanksgiving. I would have everything purchased and spend the entire Thanksgiving weekend wrapping - so it was ALL done by December 1st. My co-workers were always so impressed and amazed - and in hindsight, it's probably one of the few REALLY organized things I consistently did. Those days are over - no Visalia visits anymore and I seem to shop until the last minute. Then spend hours wrapping. Thankfully, J. helps a lot - he has this entire 'code' system worked out so I can sign the Santa presents (I've been perfecting that signature for close to 15 years now and have it pretty well mastered) and label them with the names of the recipient. Two upstairs rooms become wrapping central - and still look like a tornado hit them.

Christmas morning was fun. Both boys up early and in good spirits. Patienly waited for me and let me sleep in until almost NINE - amazing. The gifts were a big hit - especially the scavenger hunt for $$. We owed them allowance and added some Christmas money - so they both got a 'windfall' and had to read clues and hunt for it. They had fun. It was a great morning. The boys headed to the game room for Playstation - they each got a new game and Santa left a game for the two of them as well. Santa also left the family a real clay poker chip set and a poker table set. We plan to have a poker night this week and try to wedge in a family game night every week or so.

Today, we will work hard on getting the house back to 'normal' (or our version of normal, anyway). Some order will be returned. We will start culling out closets for the year-end donations to Goodwill. We will eat leftovers, enjoy our gifts and hang out at home. Tomorrow, the first wave of extended family arrive in the area - followed by another wave on Thursday. I'm counting down the vacation days left - and they are flying by, as expected.

Hope your holidays are proceeding happily. Enjoy.