Christmas, Already?!
Is it Christmas already? Man that happened fast! I feel like I just got to bed after staying up all night wrapping the gifts for the children; a family tradition in our home.
I think the natives are sensing the energy of the holiday because they are going nuts! Man, if the house survives this ruckus it will be a miracle.
There are a few declarations, statements of authoritative demand, and shouts of desperation (if you will), that have become completely neutralized by the “goings on” around here.
They go a little something like this (and you have to read this with a desperate, loud, panicked sort of tone in your voice) “Hey, stop running in the house!” “You better stop yelling across the house or you’re in trouble!” “Didn’t I tell you that you cannot ride that bike inside??!!” “Stop screaming!” “Do not run in this house!” “Do not cry at me or I’ll just freak out!” “Who hit her…did you hit her…why not?” “Stop screaming!” “DO NOT RUN IN THIS HOUSE AGAIN!!!” And then you follow all of this up with an “I love you too,” and a good night’s sleep.
Yes, when school is out, the Christmas lights are turned on, and “ELF” is played in the DVD—everything gets crazy around here for sure!
I do remember how I used to be when I was a kid; and that is probably the only saving grace that the children have right now. My brother and I used to go crazy as well.
Having said all that, we are really excited about Christmas. We just got done working on the house for three weeks; we held our annual church Christmas party here in the house, had around a hundred people to attend.
Today, we are planning our final purchases for the big day, and setting the menu. I despise turkey and have decided to bake a honey ham and cook a shrimp e’touffee.’ I cannot wait to start cooking!
As a side bar, the tree house is coming along nicely. The cold weather stopped us for awhile; but we are getting back on course. We have begun the flooring, and as soon as that is complete we will build the walls. It is really taking shape, and the kids have already found creative ways to use it as a war shelter. I hope to have it completed by the end of the holiday season.
I do wish we could get some snow this year. Lord knows that it has been cold enough!
Even though we live in Georgia…snow is not too much to ask is it? I don’t think it is an issue of possibility; only one of timing. After all, we got snow last year in February as I recall. It was beautiful, and the children had a blast playing in it. I see no reason why old man winter could not bring us a little Christmas magic this year and give us all the gift of a white Christmas.
I can tell you that it is something that your little ones would never forget. I woke up to a white Christmas morning when I was five, in Oregon, and I will never forget it as long as I live.
We did something this year that we have never done before which was pretty cool. We hung old fashioned colored Christmas lights on the house. You know, the fat tear drop shaped ones that are all different colors. We had a bunch of old ones from the seventies come into the thrift store. Cheryl bought them and brought them home for me to hang.
Mike and Paul helped me get it done. They really look great on the house, and the kids think they are cool.
Look, it’s simple and not too gaudy; and I have absolutely no intent on becoming one of those people who bathe their residence in lights and statues that move and sing. Nothing against those sorts of people…I just happen to think they are crazy.
Seriously, these places are pretty to see as you drive by at 70 mph; but as you pass you can feel the breeze coming off the electric meter.
Not only that but after Christmas you have to take all that stuff down and put it all away. That’s enough to kill the Christmas spirit for me!
I would like to stop here and make a learned prediction on my own behalf. It will take me until March to take down those pretty colored lights…place your bets!
We are looking very forward to Saturday morning.
Friday night we will help the children make sugar cookies for Santa. It is awesome, because they try and see how much colored icing they can pile up on their own creations.
After that, we will write Santa a letter, thanking him for all the gifts. We will write on the window outside telling him which chimney to come down; and then we will sit down and read “The Cajun Night Before Christmas.” After tucking the children into bed, we will stay up all night wrapping presents.
We, the Parr family, wish you all a Merry Christmas, and pray that you are blessed!
Jason, Father of six