As usual, Christmas is crazy. So many things are happening this time of year and add to the equation that we are trying to sell/buy homes and John’s surgery recovery and it equates to a beyond crazy season. With Ryder now in our lives though, we recognize the importance of taking in the big picture: the friends, family and loved ones that grace our lives. Ryder’s amazement and wonder of the season makes all the stress of getting to the finish line worth it in an instant.
Christmas Eve:
Over to John and Lois’ house early to help set up. Kris went even earlier than Ryder and I allowing him to maintain a somewhat normal nap schedule. Dinner was a little smaller than usual, with the Finleys, Fritz, Camille and the kids, Daryl and ourselves, all sitting at the big kid table. As always, it was a feast for the ages. We had to watch the clock carefully though as to not miss Santa on his route through Maryland. Our last mission of the night was the traditional reading of The Night Before Christmas as a family. Ryder sat in my lap and hung on every word.. exploring the pictures each time the book was passed before us.
Christmas Day:
This will probably be the last year we have to wake Ryder Christmas morning. Once his eyes popped open, he already knew to ask if Santa had come… “Santa here?” To say he was overwhelmed is an understatement. He dove into hi mountain of presents head first and didn’t come for air for an hour when the last gift wrapping lay on the floor shredded. His mind whirrled.
Unfortunately, we had to whisk him away from his loot for breakfast and then the trip to the Finley’s yet again, for round 2 where another mountain of goodies awaited. He now had the unwrapping thing down, bypassing the clothing and other non toys like soda at a frat party.
When the dust settled, a car size trash bag of wrapping paper was carried out to the street and the kids beamed with excitement for their new things.
Whisked away from the excitement yet again, our final stop of the day was to the Weller’s where we meet up with extwnded family and friends. Joan is among the most welcoming souls on our planet and we always have such a great time. Ryder gets to play with other kids his age with the Gonzales children in addition to Graeme and Vivien. Soon, the adrenelein wore off, the eyes began to get heavy, and we knew the witching hour had come. It was time to get ryder and our own tired frames home across a maze of vacant holiday roads.
Merry Christmas to all!
