But backing up to Christmas Eve . . . we got invited to our friends' the Shenemans who live down the street and are in our ward. They have three kids--two boys and one girl, and their kids are a few years older than ours, but they played so well with the girls. Ethan followed Pippy wherever she went and played with her the whole time. He loved her. DJ was thoroughly entertained with Summer rough-housing and playing swords with their giant candy canes. It was what Summer has always wanted!
The Shenemans made southern BBQ chicken sandwiches for us, and then we did the nativity story.
We had a little bit of music and talent afterward where Ethan played his Christmas piano recital songs, and then our family (which had prepared about 10 minutes before going there) performed "Feliz Navidad." Rhett busted out the chords on his guitar, Summer and Claire used Christmas bells and Pippy's marracca as shakers, and I led the singing. (The girls know the words--though they say, "Alise Navidad" instead.) The Shenemans actually joined in singing and dancing, and we even had an encore so we did it again. It was a lot of fun. Then the kids decorated two Christmas sugar cookies. One for them to eat, and one to give to Santa. After that, we headed home, opened our Christmas jammies, and then tucked the girls in to bed. They were so excited for Santa, and had conspired to stay up late to listen for sleighbells, but since it was 9 o'clock, they were exhausted, and fell right asleep.
Christmas morning was so delightful. While we were experiencing the excitement and surprise in the girls, Rhett had our Monkey Bread and Christmas Egg omelet cooking. Every gift Summer opened, she would yell, "This is exactly what I wanted!" -- Even though she'd never even seen one before. It was so funny. Claire was still in the stage of wanting to play with each toy before opening any more, so she was a little slower, but it was fun to see their enjoyment.
We enjoyed our yummy Christmas breakfast, and then spent the day relaxing and playing with everything, finding batteries for new things, and watching the girls share and trade their new toys. Some of the big hits this year were their umbrellas (Summer got Tinkerbell, Claire got Minnie Mouse), Summer's Leap Pad (from a generous friend), Claire's paint set, the dolls with snap on clothes, and the giant Dora dolls.
Currently, the camera cord is MIA, so all I can post are pictures from my phone. Hopefully we'll find it soon so I can post more.
The girls with their new paint sets
Summer's new Leap Pad (which Summer calls her ipad)
Pippy with Claire's Doll Van
We had a WONDERFUL Christmas. And hope everyone else did too.
* * *
My experiences with Christmas have been different ever since Claire was born. That first year, when she was only a couple weeks old, we were in law school. So poor. So poor. We hardly had anything. And I remember the kind people who knew, or didn't know, but gave us gifts anyway. A meal on Christmas. A new coat for Summer. Clothes for the girls. Money for us. Kind visits. I remember wondering what Mary felt like, having a new little baby and wanting to give him everything, but not having anything to give. Then here come kind people, strangers, sharing in the celebration of the birth. The feeling of gratitude is so hard to express.
Things haven't changed much since then--we still have kids who need things. And we're still poor. :) The kindness and generosity of people amazes me. I know other people don't have much, but still give, and it makes me think--what a wonderful time of year.
2 comments:
What a great analogy. Many of us wonder if we are rich as to the world. But when we realize we are rich in other areas, we recognize that worldy wealth is not necessary to be happy. Think of what you'll have for the eternities to come. Yes sireee, you're rich.
Britt, since having my boys I have felt different and looked at Christmas in a different light as well. Thanks for your thoughts and insight. I agree with Dad, we're rich in different ways than money. Love you!
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