I anticipated that the holidays would be really difficult for me. They were and they weren't. They were, but for different reason than I thought they would be, but they weren't nearly as tough as I had expected. I worked every day but Sundays during the month of December. Being busy certainly helped me. It also made me very tired. Almost every night I went to bed immediately after my kids did. And some nights, I went to bed before. (keep reading)
I think Christmas Eve was one of the most wonderful Christmas Eves I have ever experienced. What kept it from perfect was that my oldest child was not here, she was with her dad. After work, the kids and I came home, got into our comfy Christmas pj's and made gingerbread houses. The kids were amazing - I was so impressed at how meticulous my 3 year old daughters were. It was so much fun to watch them. After dinner we had Papa Murphy's and hung out on the couch watching kids' Christmas shows on tv. I fell asleep at 7:30 and my kids thought "it must be so late if mom is sleeping." That's what happens when you wake up at 3:30.
Every 15 minutes my son would stroke my back and say "mommy, I love you." This, right here, is what made my holiday so great. Spending time with my kids. All they want is time, nothing fancy, nothing exciting, just sit-on-the-couch-with-mom TIME.
Our Christmas morning was beautiful, but let me tell you...it was a little rough being the only adult with 3 little people all wanting their new toys opened up at the same time. A question for the toy makers: why the hell does everything need to be twisty-tied and dead-bolted to the freaking box? It's a toy for crying out loud, not a diamond!!! I don't know how many times I said..."there are 3 kids and only 1 mommy. You have to WAIT!!!" Aside from this minor frustration, it was a pretty amazing morning!
Our New Year's Eve was pretty much a repeat of Christmas Eve...minus the gingerbread houses and Christmas shows. When I was telling the twins on Wednesday night that we were going to spend the next night together and that I wasn't working on Friday my little Hannah says..."And we can sit on the couch with you, mommy?" Awwwww, I love that! So, that is exactly what we did. My girls went to bed at 8pm and my son and I at 10. We did not make midnight, which I rarely do.
Last night we watched "UP" together - all 5 of us. What a great movie! The kids loved it and so did I! I do believe that there is no such thing as coincidence. Everything happens for a reason and a purpose. The thing I took away from the movie..."it's just a house."
A beautiful time with my children. All our kids want is time. It doesn't have to be fancy...they don't need Jump Planet or Chuck-E-Cheese or any of that fancy stuff. I always feel sad because I don't have the means to do much of that with my kids right now. But after these last couple weeks I am sad no more - all they want is me.
Time is precious. Kids grow up far too quickly. Give your kids the gift of YOU.
So very true. A great reminder. thanks.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that! And a tip for next year - unbox all the gifts that have a ton of twisty-ties and cords and put the toy itself in gift bags. Then they get to open the toy and not the box that has the twisties that you have to untwist or cut before you get to the toy! So glad you had a nice holiday!
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