Over the River and Through the Woods

We did indeed go over the river and through the woods to Grama's last night. Dad wore shorts, the kids were stripped down to their diapers, we spent extended periods of time on the unheated porch and at least two of us almost passed out. Seriously I thought I was going to fall to the floor, waking up with a mouth full of 30 year old green shag carpet.

But even with all the sweating, it was a great Christmas Eve. Everybody that lives in town (my brother, sister-in-law and 2 nephews live in WI and couldn't make it :( ) showed up. And there were no fights, that in itself is a Christmas miracle.

Christmas really is more fun with kids around. There were 9 kids ranging in age from 7 months to 16years. As I stood around sweating and snapping enough photos to fill 200 albums, I came to the conclusion that Christmas is most fun through a 3 year old child's eyes.

Ashley,16, acknowledged each gift and thanked everyone immediately. You could tell she liked the gifts but didn't get too excited about anything. Hailey, 8, got visibly excited when she opened her gifts and hugged the ones she really liked. But my cousin's 3 year old daughter, Mahlaya, was so excited with everything she opened that she just couldn't contain herself. She had to show her Mom and Dad what she got and if they were busy with one of their other 4 girls, she stood up (wearing only her tights at this point) and jumped up and down holding her newly acquired treasure until one of them acknowledged her. Then, and only then, did she move on to her next gift....starting the cycle all over again.

When you're 3 you don't ever think the wonder and excitement will fade. When you're a teenager it doesn't seem the same, but you can't quite put your finger on it and don't want to complain. When you're my age (which shall remain unmentioned) you're just as happy watching other people open their gifts than you are your own.

Merry Christmas!