Matt took a full two weeks off around Christmas and I have to say that it was blissful. Actually, that is mostly why I have not posted anything...I didn't want to miss out on just being with him and the kids. Seriously, I can't remember the last time that we have had that much down time together in the last few years (but then again my memory is terrible these days so maybe we did the same thing last year...).
For Christmas, my folks make the journey west and stayed with us. This is especially notable because we have a finished basement that should be able to house guests, but up until now, we've found other places for guests to sleep. Not this time! We made a cozy nest for them and it worked out really well. Anyone else want to come visit?
Back to Christmas...even though the kids were here last Christmas, Pish and I really felt like we were parents preparing for Christmas morning this year. It was great. We had so much fun getting their stockings ready (juice boxes in the very bottom because, of course, as that is one of their favorite things) and wrapping the presents in ways that we thought they'd enjoy.
Favorite moments from the Advent season and Christmas morning 2009...
* gathering with our church family on Christmas Eve to sing the familiar songs of Christmas and hear again the story of the incarnation once again. It never ceases to amaze.
* the kids asking for 'baby' which is actually a Russian nesting doll santa ornament with a little santa stuck inside. Both of them insisted on taking the little santa 'baby' out, giving it a kiss and then putting it back on the tree. Then they put their index finger up to their mouths and say 'shhh' indicating that 'baby' has gone back to sleep.
* watching Noah grasp onto the whole idea of Christmas morning. He immediately understood that his stocking belonged to him and toted it around the house until we told him that he could open it. He carefully took each item out and identified it. Unlike her brother, Ella had no interest in opening her stocking. We kind of helped her along but she wanted to only look at one thing at a time. She did however get very excited to see so many juice boxes at the end of her stocking.
* seeing my folks enjoy one another. They are so sweet together.
* seeing Ella really engage with a toy. I was really into my dollhouse as a kid. I loved 'miniatures', as we called them. When I saw Ella take notice of a dollhouse at a store, I took notice. She ordinarily desires social interaction over toys. Anyhow, I was thinking that I'd try to find a little dollhouse for her but stumbled upon an awesome one on craigslist. Thankfully, she loves the dollhouse. Favorite dollhouse activity? Finding the two tiny toy cars (really small since they are toys for the dolls), putting them in a cabinet and then taking them out and putting them in another cabinet, or the dollhouse potty. This can go on forever.
* Ella snuggling in the hooded bath towel that my sister make for her. These towels have since inspired a new post bath tradition of the bundled munchkins sitting together on the chair in their room playing peek a boo with their toes in their towels.
* Watching the cousins chase bubbles together
* Being together with both sets of parents, Matt's sisters, their families and Uncle Roy for a Christmas feast that evening.
* Lots of late night cuddling with Noah. With all the clamor of the holidays, Noah had a bit of trouble making it though the night on his own and he spent many a night in bed with us. While I could have put him back in his bed once he settled, I loved having that little man with us. In the morning he'd wake me up to tell me 'Ya Ya ake' (translation: Ella's awake).
Since then, my parents left town and we have celebrated three birthdays...more on that to come. In the mean time, we've been recalibrating and getting back to our weekly routine. This means that we've spent lots of time playing with trains/cars/construction trucks, babies, play dough, tools. We've read lots of books (Babar is a new favorite) and made huge messes while letting the kids 'help' in the kitchen.
I've been thinking about how much of life is fleeting. There is much uncertainty and messiness and I have so much less control that I think that I do. I'm ever learning to depend on the one that hold us in his hands. These are good, sweet times. We are resting.
Since then, my parents left town and we have celebrated three birthdays...more on that to come. In the mean time, we've been recalibrating and getting back to our weekly routine. This means that we've spent lots of time playing with trains/cars/construction trucks, babies, play dough, tools. We've read lots of books (Babar is a new favorite) and made huge messes while letting the kids 'help' in the kitchen.
I've been thinking about how much of life is fleeting. There is much uncertainty and messiness and I have so much less control that I think that I do. I'm ever learning to depend on the one that hold us in his hands. These are good, sweet times. We are resting.
No comments:
Post a Comment