Christmas...a time to Believe

Oh Christmas how I already miss you, but my tree is still up so I am still soaking in the last days of Christmas. What a fun season this was for us. I truly enjoyed every minute of this month. We watched who knows how many movies from Elf, Polar Express to Love Actually and the Holiday. We wrote letters to Santa and dropped them in the BELIEVE mailbox at Macy's, had lots of hot cocoa and movie nights, read every Christmas book we own (mommy wraps up 25 books and puts them under the kids tree and it's a treat for them to open each night), drove around looking at all the wonderful Christmas lights (even though Ethan was apparently bored by the end since his yawning was getting really loud...), baked cookies, made homemade ornaments. The Christmas Women's Tea at church was perfect as it is every year, my girlfriends and I had a "Favorites" gift exchange lunch, Christmas parties (my work and family one, they both never disappoint) and best of all we celebrated Christmas the birth of Jesus.

Chippy our elf was also back...oh you should have heard the squeals from Ethan as he ran into our bedroom..."he's back, he's really back, Chippy is back!!" oh the excitement was priceless. Chippy came with a letter from Santa reminding him what the true meaning of Christmas is, Jesus and to make sure we celebrate Him during this time. He reminded the kids to love one another, be kind, and give to others. It was great having Chippy back, the kids were VERY sad when he left on Christmas.

Our fun holiday began at our Candle light service on Christmas Eve and I can't even tell how my heart was SO full watching my kids and niece and nephew listen to the service and holding there lit candles (with their eyes watching the candle ever so closely) singing Joy to the World and Silent Night, of course I wish I had taken a picture of the moment but I didn't (so unlike me, but the cameras were left in the car), but that moment was my FAVORITE moment of the night, possibly my favorite moment of the season!

We headed to Papa and Grandma's house for a fun filled night of tamales, goodies and opening presents. We ended our night at 12am, so of course Santa's "elves" did not make it to bed until 2am or later I am sure!!! And then 4 hours later I...yes I said I...was the first one up, like a child waiting for the kids to wake up. An hour later they were up and Ethan ran in the room and said..."He came, he really came, Santa came to OUR house!!!!" and that is how our Christmas morning started. It was perfect in every way, we opened presents, lounged in our jammies till 3pm, played with and put together all the toys, then we headed to Gamma's for some more fun and eating. It was a mellow Christmas evening and of course I enjoyed every bite of trifle and Christmas pudding, it is what I look forward to eating every Christmas!

Christmas season, I will miss you, but I loved you while you were here. See you in 11 months when you come back around!