My parents came over on Monday night to exchange presents with us. I cooked lasagna and bread, nothing special, and we celebrated Christmas together. My mom's present still had not arrived (yeah, I don't think I mentioned that yet-- I messed up everyone's presents this year. Micah and Sarah's Christmas present, Susan's birthday present, Mom's Christmas present, Jeremy and Gina's Christmas present-- ALL late. That's what I get for ordering online and procrastinating getting to the post office!!) so I ended up wrapping my own pampered chef stone to show her what she was getting. Classy, huh? She was a good sport, and we had a good evening. The highlight, of course, was watching Ryleigh with her presents. A new pink piano from "Gaga and Go" (don't ask me how that equates to Grandma and Grandad; I have no idea), a mermaid barbie for the bath, a jack-n-the-box, new clothes, and more! Again, she was not too thrilled to open the presents, but once they were open, she had a blast.
Christmas morning, Jesse and I got up and waited for Ryleigh to wake up. Finally, we woke her up! Then we kept her corralled in the kitchen and bedroom long enough to finish preparing the breakfast casserole and kolaches. We let her loose. And she walked right into the living room, and straight to her new table. She climbed right up in her new chair, and immediately wanted to open her stocking. We side-tracked her long enough to show her a few new toys. She kept going back to play with her pink piano! Ha! Eventually, we all opened our stockings. Ironically, Jesse and I each got one another the same Ray Lamontagne CD-- it was the only one left that we did not own, so I guess we both figured we needed it in our collection. =)
A little later, Jesse's parents came over. We had gotten them small stockings and we gave them our presents: Elfa drawers. Not too exciting, but since they want to re-do their closets, we figured we would help them out with a few drawers (especially since they were on sale!) We opened presents, ate breakfast and Ryleigh played her heart out. Jesse and I got her a potty, thinking we would slowly start to introduce the concept. Well, she sat on it right away! And tried to flush! A little later, she got a present from Aunt Susan that had a baby doll in it, and the first thing she did was sit that baby doll on the potty! Ha! She pushed the baby around in her new stroller and carried it in the baby carrier. Then would go back to the piano. Toys are fun! After awhile, JD and Carol left to head back to their house and begin cooking dinner. We stayed home and NAPPED. For AWHILE.
When we woke up, it was much later than we expected. We hurried and cleaned up and went to his parent's house. Jeremy, Gina, and Eli were already there. I must say: it was quiet. Without Grandma Gertie, Justin, Jenn, & their kids, no family friends, no aunts or uncles-- it was very untraditional Shulse holiday. We exchanged presents and the kids played some more. Carol gave each of us daughter-in-laws a spa day! Massages, facials, manicures, and haircuts/hairdos! A fun girls day at the galleria is on the horizon, for sure. Dinner was good, though everyone again was quiet. After the meal, we stayed for a little bit, but seeing as how we were leaving town for New Mexico the very next morning, everyone was quick to leave.
So, we were home early, and I began laundry and took down the incredibly dead Christmas tree. Jesse and I packed while Ryleigh played, played, played!
It was a different Christmas all around this year. Not bad, just different. I was tired. So, honestly I was thankful for the slower change of pace. I missed a lot of the skipped traditions.
- We never made it to see Santa this year-- I took Ryleigh twice, and both times the line was over 2 hours long...anyone with a toddler knows that there was NO way she was going to sit in her stroller for that long.
- I completely forgot to make cookies and milk for Santa. Completely. Forgot.
- My house was not AS decorated as usual.
- I never made it around to give goodies to all my friends.
But you know what? I survived. I'm no less of a Mom. Or a wife. Or a daughter. Or a sister. Yes, I'm too busy. But I did my best. And it still was a sweet Christmas. And you know what else? My "mess ups" this year did not alter the meaning of my Christmas at all. Because those things are not what this season is about. I still like them- I still hope to do better next year- but I'll be okay if, once again, I cant manage it all.
Alright, alright. Enough of my thoughts. I know you're ready for pictures! Enjoy!
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