A Very Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve afternoon we bundled up and spent some fun family time sledding down a great hill on Campus. A sweet & generous friend took Rilla so I was free to sled without worrying about her. Nathan proved to really enjoy sledding. I wasn't sure how he'd do on a big hill or if we'd ever get him into his despised purple & pink snowsuit...but he had the best day ever as he sat in his sled and the rest of us had an extra workout taking turns pulling him & his sled back up the hill. Ray, being Nate's primary taxi service, was too exhausted to do much of his own sledding until I suggested he sled down with Nathan and then walk back up with him. Yes, he was actually walking down the hill....

We spent a nice evening eating dinner by candlelight. I actually set a fancy table setting with nice table cloths and an elegant centerpiece. When the children came in ooo-ing and awe-ing one of them declared, "Fancy!" Another exclaimed, "Wow, I wish we could do this more often." I can only imagine what would have been said if we'd actually used real dishes instead of our every day use of paper plates and if I'd omitted the use of a clear vinyl table cover over the linen.

At dinner, Emma asked me if we'd do the "Christmas Play." We, like many other families, act out the Nativity every Christmas Eve. Elizabeth had quickly volunteered to prepare some costumes and props. It is so fun for me to watch them busily prepare. I remember the huge Nativity we'd do at my Grandparents Pearce's home. It was a magical time for me and I am happy it is for my children as well. All of the parts were designated. Luckily, no one protested Emma's desire to be Mary again this year. Rilla was nominated for the part of baby Jesus. She cooperated nicely. Elizabeth excitedly declared she'd be the angel. Tessa really wanted to be the shepherd with a sheep (that really was a goat puppet who pretended to be a sheep). Noah was forced to be Joseph again. Nathan, after listening to his siblings rantings about parts, decided he could be an angel, Joseph, a sheep, or a wise man. After being assigned a wise man, he wasn't sure that was what HE wanted. So for the hour before our play he proclaimed his desires for other parts to every member of the family. Each of us instinctively reinforced that he'd be a wonderful wise man. When Elizabeth showed him that he could wear a cape, he was content. Each of them performed the Nativity with reverence and respect.

I was feeling great. The day was wonderful and running smoothly. After the Nativity the children asked if they could open the traditional ONE present before going to bed. We gathered in a circle close to the tree as I passed out the pre-determined gifts. The older children weren't surprised to find new p.j.'s. But, Emma, was distressed to find that she and Tessa received matching jammies. She burst into tears storming around and screaming the injustice of it and vowing to never wear them. Somehow I managed to stay calm. I was remembering that I'd wanted to buy her Hannah Montana jammies instead, but the dad didn't want those so the only option was matching with Tessas. I hugged Emma and promised to never make that same mistake again. She must have believed me and felt my true sense of remorse because she put them on for a picture. I then began to wonder on what emotion we'd all go to bed with and I began to worry...Luckily, I agreed to allow Emma to set carrots out for the reindeer. We all went to bed happy.