I had vowed to not buy any toys. I rationalized that we have enough toys and could use our money more wisely. Perhaps resisting the urge to find the "perfect" present removed some of my excitement for the season. I also limited my neighborhood treats this year. I reasoned that I would make 3 batches of treats and when we'd given them away I would be done. Of course this objective pushed me further along the path of being an over-all scrooge. I did, however, consent to collecting one "toy" per child from Santa. It was then that I found a tiny happy bubble begin to swell within, but not full enough to pop. I made more treats to give away. And, I determined to do a family activity every night together during our Christmas Break. These activities did not always work out the way I'd hoped, but the Christmas Spirit came to me and into our home. Children make Christmas wonderful! I don't regret limiting our toy accumulation, just my attitude towards it. We didn't need toys, but we did need some fun time spent together. I think this Christmas will be a memorable one for all of us.
The first activity was to ride the train to SLC to participate in a Messiah Sing-Along. I had always wanted to go to this and was extremely excited and motivated to bundle us all up and venture out on this cold cold night.
The train was very crowded with hundreds of people hoping for a fun family night just like me. Noah & Elizabeth were excited to stand up bumping along with strangers. Noah burst into song embarrassing his dad and inviting his siblings to join in. While singing, Do you like Waffles, wasn't the best choice for Christmas Caroling, it did seem to lighten the journey and caused a lot of laughter. When we finally arrived, we were sad to hear that the thousands of seats had been filled and we wouldn't be able to get in. So Plan B was initiated: We would go see the lights at Temple Square. I suggested that we hop back onto the train and then get off at the Temple stop. Ray, however, argued that it was just too close to ride. After carrying Nathan 6 blocks in windy frigid temperatures to Temple Square, I was less than cheerful and was ready to go home. Enduring patiently and refraining from punching your spouse does pay off. The children had such a fun night. Nathan was eager to greet each and every baby Jesus at every life sized Nativity from several countries. Our tummies began to grumble since we'd planned on eating hot dogs at the Sing Along. We walked (again I carried Nathan) another 6 blocks to the only restaurant I was sure would be there. I ordered a reliable comfort food: soup. With a happy tummy I bundled us up to brave the cold again as we walked to a train stop to await the train. Sometimes the joy is in the journey, sometimes the test is to enjoy the journey, and sometimes we just do our best to make the journey. My hidden treasure in this journey was seeing my shy & quiet children surprise me with their daring spunk & cheer. It was magical.
Our second outing was to drive through the lights at Thanksgiving Point. We had never done this before and I didn't know what to expect. I am happy to report that it was fun and enjoyable. It was another cold and windy night which dissuaded my spouse from parking the car to see the reindeer and sip hot cocoa...but I suppose if we did everything we wouldn't have something new to do next year?
Our third surprise outing met some unwilling participants who did NOT want to go if we were going to see more lights or if we'd be outside in the cold night air. After giving the best guilt trip speech I could give, we quietly drove to the location of our surprise outing: A boat ride on the river to see Christmas Lights. While I wouldn't consider the large raft we were on a boat, and while I thought the lights were a bit bare, and the whole event a bit hokey, my children probably loved this outing the best, which of course made me love it too.
The fourth night was Christmas Eve. Ray surprised me by suggesting that he take us all out to dinner so I would get a rest. Nathan for once sat still and stayed on his chair and still we managed to break a glass full of water. Of course we were seated in the middle of the room for all to see and gawk as the kind waitress swept up glass shards through a small pond of water reaching 5 or more yards out from our table. When we got home we prepared to do the Christmas Play. I am certain that if we'd had any loving and kind feelings before they quickly vanished as the arguing began..."I want to be Mary! You have to be the Angel! You are Always the Angel! I want to be a Sheep! We will not have you be a sheep! I want to be a Wise Man not Joseph! You are Always Joseph! That is why I want to be a Wise Man! I think Rilla should be the baby Jesus. Rilla will not be the baby Jesus. I want to be the baby Jesus! You can be a Shepherd or a Wise Man or Joseph. I only want to be the baby Jesus. You can't be Joseph, Noah has to be Joseph! And on & on it went....Until I shouted that we were ready to start and Tessa had a melt down because we hadn't practiced. I reminded her that we never need to practice and that we 'd help her know when to come and where to stand....So with pouting and tears we had our Christmas Play. Somehow in the doing, we found joy and ended the evening singing Carols while Elizabeth accompanied us on the piano. That was the redeeming point for me.
Mary sadly traveling alone to Bethlehem.
And so I conceded to allowing Rilla to be the Baby Jesus.
An earnest Shepherd.
Finally, a Joseph who thought he was another Baby Jesus.
All smiles for a final picture...Christmas Day was reserved for playing together. It was a wonderful day and truly I felt the magic and finally felt completely full of Christmas Cheer & Peace.
Pajama ready with anticipation oozing to see Christmas Presents. And of course Grandma Ellgen's hand made gifts brought the most smiles!
Rilla took a long time opening her presents. She quickly discovered that there was candy inside the stockings and so she crawled around merrily snatching her siblings treats unnoticed.
Perhaps the one thing that brought the most joy into my Christmas was making these two mini scrapbooks for Nathan & Rilla. Nathan's book only took me 3 1/2 years to finish while Rilla's quickly came together in less than a week. I was rewarded for my efforts as we continue to read through them together.Our 4th outing took us to In & Out Burger. I have to admit that even though I grew up in California, I'd never eaten there. So it was a fun first to do all together.
The 5th outing we went to Jump On It. I had as much fun as the kids did. Nathan & Rilla both relaxed and out bounced us all :)
Our 6th outing was to see a movie on the "Big TV" (theater). Ray & I enjoyed chasing Rilla around in the foyer during the movie.
Our final outing was my personal favorite. We were blessed with some new snow just perfect for sledding. Everyone had a blast! and we only quit when my feet started to get wet and the sun began to set.
It was nice having help pulling Rilla back up the hill or we'd have quit pretty quickly.
Tessa loved going backwards.
2 comments:
I love the picture of all your kids smiling in their pajamas on Christmas. And all those home-made gifts look wonderful. I still need to make scrapbooks for Dayton and Daphne; I bought the books, but I haven't worked on Dayton's since he was 1 month old, and I haven't even begun Daphne's. Argh.
Michelle, I used the word "scrapbook" in an extremely liberal manner! Both books are themed scrapbooks. Nathan's is called, "What I Am Thankful For..." and Rilla's is an ABC book featuring her. These were much easier to do than a HUGE compilation of their lives:)
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