This Christmas

For three years, I have waited for this Christmas.  I have played dress up with the boys for pictures, filled stockings, participated in school parties, put up half-decorated trees so the destruction would be minimal, singing Christmas songs they could care less about, forcing them to watch the 1964 Rudolph, etc. etc. etc.

This year is different.  This is the Christmas I've had three years in the making. 

In the morning before the boys get up, I turn on the tree lights and move Hermey (our Elf on the Shelf) to his daily destination.  Once they wake up and come downstairs, finding Hermey is first on their list.  They both run around looking for him as fast as they can and little Sam is equally as good at finding Hermie as his brother.  After they get their milk, they sit in front of the tree just staring at it.  Every day, they tell me which ornaments they helped put on the tree and then they touch all of the presents underneath it.  Then, a lot of times, they'll just sit there.  Not talking, not poking, just staring at it.  They have both told me on separate occasions how beautiful it is.  It's not beautiful because it's fancy, it's beautiful because every ornament has a special significance.  They know that the Shamu ornament came from Colt's birthday at Sea World, the purple ones are "go go tigers" from Mommy's school, the reindeer one came from GG and they both sit in front of it when we sing the Rudolph song. There is no rhyme or reason, it's just beautifully perfect for our little family and the boys see it too.  You can't slap the smile off my face.

Sam and Colt are doing a great job not touching the ornaments too much, but they had the worst time hanging them up.  They LOVED helping, but every one they put up would fall right off the branch.  Normally I would care.  This year, I didn't.  My babies were having an absolute blast putting up ornaments and were so proud of themselves.  They could have dropped all of them, I just didn't care.  They were enjoying it so much and I was enjoying watching their excitement more. I even left the ornaments in the clumps they put them in, at the bottom of the tree where they could reach.  I thought it was kinda cute.

Yesterday, Colt got his guitar and asked if we could sing that horse and sleigh song (Jingle Bells), so we sang away and he played his little guitar.  Then he wanted Rudolph, then that "better not pout" song.  So we sat next to the tree for about 30 minutes just singing.  I'm not sure I'll ever forget that.

Our next exciting Christmas moment takes us to Santa.  Colt will see him, but is VERY cautious.  This is a huge improvement from last year, since he used to act like he was being murdered.  Sam on the other hand, well, he still acts like he's being murdered.  Better luck next year with Sam. ha.

Both of the boys also know about the naughty and nice lists.  If one hits the other, if one draws on the wall, if one does ANYTHING wrong, they are going on the naughty list.  However, if they are sweet to their friends and mind their teachers at school, they get on the nice list.  This has greatly improved their behavior - I sure wish we could threaten naughty and nice lists all year long!!

This is a time when we are hit with the harsh reality of the fact that we are not promised a tomorrow and that these precious children are a gift and a joy that can never be taken for granted.  We need to embrace and cherish every hug, kiss, every morning finding Hermey and every sleigh song we sing.  It's not about having the perfect tree or the perfect present, it is only about love and joy. 

I want my boys to hold fast to traditions, family and remember always that this time of year is about the birth of baby Jesus.  Colt will be a cow in the stable at his Christmas play tonight.  For the last two years, he gets on stage, sees me and runs off crying.  But maybe, just maybe, this year will be different.

Merry Christmas!!
Love, Sarah