Thanksgiving ended up being such a wonderful time. Good food, friends and family. It didn't leave me feeling stressed at all. Alexa's birthday party left me a little stressed just because we had so many things going on that weekend in addition to the party. But everyone had a good time. I even had a nice time, although I think I spent the majority of it in the kitchen making pizza. Then I had to worry about running out of cake before the masses could be fed.
Now Christmas. It isn't even the gifts that is getting to me. I made up my list and I've checked it more than twice. No, it's the "what are we going do" and "where are we going to go" that is causing me stress. Last year we were able to stay with family overnight and attend the big family party on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning was spent surrounded by family. I'd love to do the same this year but there are a lot of changes. The first would be that we'd have to stay in a hotel. There is just something about waking up in a hotel on Christmas morning that doesn't really put me in the spirit of things. Not to mention the crappy sleep we'd probably all have gotten which means adults and kids would be cranky. But I suppose we'd have fun the night before. Then there is the question of where to gather. My mother-in-law has offered to host but that idea terrifies me. It would take some effort to get her house into a condition that I feel would be safe. And when I say safe I mean safe for the house. The twins can be more than a little destructive and really do much better in a big empty room. I find that if it can be broken, it'll break. If it can be chewed on, it will be eaten. If it shouldn't be thrown, it'll find it's way across the room. I can't relax when I'm worried about what is going to be destroyed. And I don't want to spend an entire day un-relaxed, especially when I'm already cranky from lack of sleep.
And I haven't even tackled the issue of what we are going to do with my side of the family! It may just be time for a mass email saying come to our house if you wish, we'll be here and I'll feed you. If you don't want to come then I'll be happy to pop your gift into the mail.
This time of year is about family and when I say family I mean myself, Chris and our children. I'd like to develop some traditions that help us get into and stay in the Christmas spirit. I want it to be about more than the gifts you get, or even the ones you receive.
the kids hanging with the man in the red suit
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