Christmas Recap

Christmas always seems like such a whirlwind! We had a great holiday here, I was even able to relax and enjoy Christmas Eve whereas I am normally still running about like a headless chicken. We were able to spend a very enjoyable day making cookies for Santa, playing games and just hanging out before we ventured out for our usual visiting. We are fortunate to have both my and Greg's parents within 5 minutes of us so to spend time with both families on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day is not difficult. And that's exactly what we did! Christmas Eve started at Mimi and Bumpa's house (Greg's parents), and then continued over at Nannie and Papa's house (my parents) where my mum always prepares her traditional feast of calzones, quiche and other yummy goodies. We were able to see (Michelle and Mike) my sister and brother-in-law (their first married Christmas!), and caught (Steve and Amy) my brother and sister-in-law on our way out. We couldn't stay long because Ian is truly a child who needs his sleep to be even remotely pleasant. I didn't want to spend Christmas day with an over tired Ian, it's not a good thing! We had experience with over tired Ian on Saturday night and it was not enjoyable. We had planned what I thought would be a very fun activity. We live nearby a farm/small zoo called Charmingfare Farms, and they do all sorts of activities around the holidays (they do lots of sleigh and hay rides). During the summer months they do normal daily hay rides through the back of their property. There are little houses, and sheds that, at Christmas time they decorate with lights as well as having animated characters and other neat things. Well during the holidays, they offer a horse drawn carriage ride to see all the decorations. There is a bonfire where you can keep warm while waiting for your ride, and you can get hot cocoa and stuff to make s'mores as well. You can visit with the animals, and it all culminates with the ride bringing you to Santa's reindeer barn where you can meet Santa and his reindeer. I thought this would be a special activity to do as a family. Well, Ian spent the previous night at Auntie Shel's house and was up pretty late, so needless to say that by 6pm he was tired and was just a mess most of the night. In his defense, it was pretty darn cold, and it was very busy so it made getting near the bonfire difficult. Add that to the over an hour and a half long wait for our ride and we had a recipe for disaster! I do think we'll try it again next year, but we know better now how the process works and can maybe gauge timing better (plus sorry Auntie Shel, we'll have to make sure a sleep over is not planned for the night before!). We were able to get a few good pictures, even though we had a grumpy boy! The one with a funny face is because he was feeding a goat and didn't like when they licked him!

Anyways, I've digressed from Christmas, haven't I?

Ian, remarkably, didn't wake up until about 6:45 Christmas morning and we spent a nice morning opening gifts, and enjoying apple cinnamon muffins and egg nog. Santa brought Ian a Magnetix maga case which was very exciting to him. He also brought Ana a walker (Ian was happy to open Ana's gifts up for her). Greg surprised me with a glider chair for Ana's room. We had one for Ian when he was a baby, but it has ceased to glide over time. It was so thoughtful and sweet, thanks honey! We headed over to my parents house around 11:00, and had a great time opening gifts there and visiting with my family. Ian came away with a giant stuffed dog (which he is currently laying on while watching Underdog for the fifth or so time) from Nannie and Papa (among many other wonderful things like spy gear, movies and Ben 10 figures), a cool radio control car, and spin art from Auntie Shel and Uncle Mike, and a radio control airplane and NERF gun from Uncle Steve and Auntie Amy. Everyone came bearing gifts for Ana (a baby doll, toys, clothes and girlie colored blankets!) as well which was very thoughtful. I just love the way our families have embraced her right from the start, it's just so touching! We wrapped up the day with dinner (spiral cut ham, potatoes, rolls and Bumpa's delicious carrots, yum!) and presents at Greg's parent's house. Ian got some Ben 10 figures he's been wanting and a star theater that he can play in his room at night and project the stars on his ceiling and walls. Ana received an adorable baby doll (the only non-caucasian one that the store she went to had!). Thanks also to Mimi and Bumpa, we will be having China Jade (one of our favorite Chinese food restaurants) for dinner soon and we are also the owners of a new cordless phone, for those of you who know our luck with phones, it is very exciting to be cord free again. Oh, and a special thank you as well to Nannie and Papa (among other awesome gifts) for the gift certificate to the grocery store, it is much needed after all the holiday spending!
Anyways, thanks to everyone for all the wonderful things we received. We love each and every one of you so much! I'm so happy we are able to spend the holidays together! Well, I'm off to try and make sense of the mess that remains. There are toys from one end of the house to the other! Just one last story though. We were on our way out visiting on Christmas Eve and Ian pipes up in the back seat:

"Mumma, Christmas isn't all about presents, you know what it's all about?"
"What's it all about Ian?"
"It's about spending time with all our family!"

I started to cry. I think partly it was my little breakdown about not having our family all together, we certainly were missing a piece this year. To miss Ana's first Christmas was very difficult. I couldn't help but think on several occasions what she was doing, and if she was getting any special attention on Christmas, I can only hope so (these are the moments I really wish she was in foster care). Mostly though, I think the tears were because it was just so sweet, and exactly what I hope my children will believe. I was so proud at that moment! Of course then he followed it up with:

"You know where I heard that mumma"
"Where buddy?"
"From Ben 10 Christmas special!"

Well, at least he's getting it somewhere!