This last week before Christmas has been frantic, and it is hard for me to believe that it is finally December 24th. What have we done?
Well, I have finished all the Christmas shopping between Thanksgiving and December 22. This year I did nearly all of it online and used many additional coupons/sales to score great deals. I'm very proud of the money I have saved this year while shopping for additional people (new brother-in-law, new niece, new son!) I whipped up 3 different types of cookies with Tamlin's help. I finished grading my final exams and submitted their final grades (which took forever since I had a final on the last day of the week.) I finished several sewing projects for the kids, including a bowtie, stuffed animal, and doll clothes. I collected and read Tam a new Christmas book each night for the entire month of December. (He loved finding a new book each evening). I drove to Ohio in 7 hours with two wee ones in the car and didn't go insane. I loved my family all year long and...I still love my family :-)
And Brian? He's been busy too. Lots of work since this is the busy season with all the shoppers around the restaurant. Then, he's been singing quite a bit. We both participated in the Medieval feast at our church by singing in the choir. Additionally, Brian sang a solo both nights as part of the dinner entertainment. It was fun for all of us to dress up for this during the winter season. He's also been singing with his Victorian group. I bundled up Tam and Jude and we heard him while he was performing a strolling gig among local shops. I love listening to my husbands voice...and it just makes me smile widely when he's singing favorite Christmas carols. Earlier in the month, he got out the Christmas village decorations and set it all up, along with the train running through the tiny houses. Tamlin LOVED this and that daddy let him drive the train too. Brian also wrapped a ton of the gifts this year while I was grading finals. I love that he helped out with this task. Busy, busy.
What about the kids?Tamlin has been a rambunctious 3 year old. He has tried to help us with every task we attempt to do, from washing dishes to choosing Christmas gifts to stirring batter for cookies. He's made Christmas tags with glue and glitter. He's decorated cookies with sprinkles and m&ms. He's wished everyone Merry Christmas. He can't wait to open presents. He's playing relatively nicely with Jude...or at least trade's him toys when Jude has something he wants. He's been walking around, reading, and sleeping with the Toys-r-us catalog for weeks (he loves looking at all the cars). He got to meet Santa and tell him what he wants. And he traveled wonderfully in the car on our journey east to see the family.
Jude's been pretty good too. Now that he is on a low-lactose formula and eating more solids, he is often sleeping better at night...though still a bit gassy. Since he is getting more sleep, he's happier during the day. He's been mastering sitting up and lunging out to reach toys placed nearby, including big brother Tamlin's cars. He's been busy jumping like a mad-man in his jumperoo. He also got to visit Santa and sit on his lap. No tears! Just a general staring at the jolly man in red with a white beard. And Jude also did awesomely on the trip to see the family...barely any crying!So, like I mentioned at the top of post, it is Christmas eve...
We went to the early family service at church. Brian sang two duets for the congregation and would sing harmony with me on the hymns. Jude is becoming our little musician since he was "singing" along with the music two with happy squeals and sounds of delight. I love the service of readings and carols both because I love hearing the Christmas story, but I also love singing the favorite holiday hymns... You know, the ones that aren't played on the radio ad nauseum all month. Tamlin's been playing with cars and telling everyone Merry Christmas still. However, he did know it was baby Jesus's birthday when asked at church tonight. It makes me feel good that he realizes the it isn't totally a commercial holiday. Most of the day, Tamlin has been talking about Santa and tracking Santa's journey off and on all day on NORAD on the computer. Now it is nearly 11:30pm and I'm home watching sapping Christmas movies and staring off at the lights on the Christmas tree. Brian, mom, and Dale are back at church for the 11:00pm service. When they get home, we grown-ups will celebrate and open our gifts in the wee hours of Christmas morning. Then, hugs all around, while we head upstairs to listen for jingle bells to note Santa's arrival for the little ones.
Well, I better get out my kerchief and ready myself for the upcoming winter nap :-)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
