Christmas is a special time of the year. Nice job stating the obvious huh? It's true though. Christmas brings on a rash of memories and feelings. The most hap, happiest time of the year can also be the most stressful. However, due to the fact that I adore even the stress of putting together presents until midnight. Here are a few of my favorite things that are uniquely Christmas.
#1 (I like numerical lists)
My Paraguayan nativity set, complete with rooster. Jed came home off of his mission a few days before Christmas. When he asked me what I wanted him to bring me back for Christmas I had no idea, but the mother to one of my dear friends encouraged me to request a nativity set. This one was handmade by true Paraguayan craftsman. It is one-of-a-kind and the only nativity set I have ever seen with a rooster! My children are not allowed to even breathe on it. I hold it in high esteem, it is truly one of my most treasured gifts Jed has given me. Maybe because it conveys the true meaning of Christmas, maybe because it was accompanied with the gift of Jed returning home, maybe because it kinda reminds me of my great-grandma's Virgin Mary glued to the dashboard of an old Chevy? truck. I can't pin-point it exactly but it is one of my FAVORITE THINGS.
#2
A mini Christmas tree in my room. When I was in college and treeless and pathetic my mom bought me a little tree to adorn my room. It was cheery and festive and made me feel oh so jovial! I kept it through three years of marriage and then one fateful move someone trashed it on the basis that "it was taking up room, old and dusty." I was devastated, due to my strange attachment to inanimate objects. Soooo, this year when I saw an advertisement for a mini-tree in a sales ad I made someone go buy it to replace the original. In the morning when I am roused from my peaceful slumber by someone's spawn I look at my tree and smile knowing I can face the world after looking at a visual reminder that all is meaningful and wonderful in life. The ornaments are family heirlooms, it's okay they're wood, not so breakable. How else do you think they've survived long enough to be handed down?
#3
Christmas musicals. I used to love playing Christmas music in band, orchestra and piano. (NO choir for this frog.) Christmas concerts were my favorite, maybe not for my poor parents who had to sit through the torture, but I always loved an excuse to be melodically noisy (and wear my black dress.) However, now I get to be in charge of the musicale! My piano students, did AMAZING! Twelve of them played their hearts out, from my little first grader, who is practically Jara size, to my big middle-schoolers. Almost all of them memorized their songs, they played with style and no one sang batman smells while being a "good audience." Unfortunately the only picture I have to document this event would be a scary one of me glaring a Miss Viola Swamp glare. Let me explain, I wasn't actually glaring, I was contemplating and I love this little girlie and would never, ever glare at her, but now I kinda worry I'm scary and don't even know it.
#4
Snow fights. This is how we do it in Southern Nevada. No snow, no problem. Bust out the marshmallows and pelt each other. No wet clothes, no numb fingers, no crying=HAPPY kids. Especially Jack, who loves an occasion to throw things at his sister and parents and NOT get in trouble.
#5
Christmas dresses on little girls complete with red tights and gloves. Don't mind Santa's little helper on the left, he wouldn't move, but the elf socks are a nice touch, no?
#6
Our soon-to-be sister-in-law. She's fun AND cute! She's one of us. She's been with my little bro forever, knows our evil ways and still likes us. She even karaokes with Ashley and I, that's true familia love. We are excited for their big day.
#7
Baking. I may shudder at the sight of flour for another couple days due to the overload of holiday cheer and goodwill but I truly love baking tasty treats. Jara is my sous chef, she loves dumping, and Jack is the cookie watcher, he takes his responsibilities very seriously.
