Welp. Christmas is over and it’s 2018. The outdoor lights and decorations are down and put away, and now I just have to pack up all the tree ornaments. Yes it’s January 4th and my tree is still up but it’s artificial and I had a migraine yesterday and STOP JUDGING ME I WILL TAKE IT DOWN THIS WEEKEND, MOM.
We had a great Christmas. We started celebrating on Christmas Eve at my sister-in-law’s house, where my nephews were very patient with their incredibly hyped-up cousin.
It is a MIRACLE he went to sleep.
One of my favorite parts of Christmas Eve is when the kids are in bed and the house is quiet. I love taking it all in before everything goes nuts.
The kids woke up bright and early and were anxious to dive into their presents.
My kids are so much fun to watch open gifts. They are genuinely delighted by everything, even chapstick. Annie got so excited over a book that she didn’t even realize there was a gift card tucked inside until her grandpa pointed it out.
And, in our new Spohr family tradition, there were masks.
After presents were opened and breakfast was eaten, we took the kids up to the elementary school parking lot so they could try out their gifts from Santa:
It’s James’ first bike, and Annie’s first bike without training wheels. I honestly thought it would take a few days to teach Annie how to ride a bike, but she had it mastered in about 10 minutes. I give almost all the credit to the balance bike she and James used to have – it really did help her master the hardest part of learning how to ride a bike.
Later in the afternoon, we went to my parents’ house to celebrate with extended family, including my aunts, uncle, and cousins. It was there we experienced a Christmas miracle — James decided Liam is finally “interesting,” and the two of them played together non-stop. I think James finally realized how cool it is to have a little kid look up to you.
My mom and aunts put together an absolutely delicious dinner with all the fixings. I helped by stirring some things. You’re welcome, family!
It was a lovely evening, with plenty of time for silliness.
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We also forgot to take our usual Christmas Day family photo. When I realized it later, I forced lovingly requested everyone get dressed nicely so we could take this one.
Guess it’s good I still had my tree up, HMMMMM.
Lenora Dody says:
Don’t feel bad, my real tree is still up! It comes down this weekend. I wish Alexa would do it for me!!
samatwitch says:
Traditionally, Christmas decorations are supposed to come down on Twelfth Night (Epiphany), which is January 6th. Of course my tree stayed up all year last year, due to my back problems, but I’m going to try to get it put away this year. Happy New Year, Spohrs! It looks as if you had a wonderful Christmas.
jordan says:
I was going to comment the same!! My stuff doesn’t come down until Epiphany. Part of me loves it because I love following the church calendar, part of me loves it because CHRISTMAS IS MY FAVORITE!
Susannah Hunter says:
Christmas trees aren’t supposed to come down until the 12th day of Christmas. You aren’t late! The kings haven’t even arrived yet!
Olivia says:
What does the paper on the mirror say?!
Mike says:
That was a note from the elves saying goodbye! It said something about how they loved Annie and James and couldn’t wait to see them next year!
Anna says:
I was going to say the same thing about the 12th day and Epiphany! I had a real tree and took everything down yesterday. I ALWAYS wait until after the New Year except for that one time my tree wouldn’t drink any water and dried up so badly that it was a brown husk. Took that one down the day after Christmas!
~ R says:
My tree came down last night on the 8th. You’re good, no worries, enjoy it while you can. (And I should confess one year was really crazy and I think it stayed up until mid-February…and life was still okay.)
Lisa says:
Twelfth night like all said above-AND that is the start of Mardi Gras season!!!! Whoo hoo. Gonna make king cakes and tickets to NOLA purchased already.