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Well I didn’t need the Kleenex. Call me Scrooge, but remembing those past Christmas experiences brought back physical memories of exhaustion, overwhelm and debt right smack into my mind. Having 4 kids under the age of 6 was a daunting task in and of itself and when Christmas rolled around, my own memories of being in a big family and the annual disappointment of not getting what I wanted was always a concern of mine. I didn’t want my children to ever feel that way.

But, you’re right. When the shopping and wrapping and putting together of all the toys was finally done (at 3:00 AM the early morning of Christmas day) and the four of them would come running in our room at 6:00 AM bouncing and jumping all over our beds–acting as if they had the won the lottery before they even opened their gifts..it would shake me out of my exhaustion and fuzziness, and the fun and joy would begin in full force.

…Until I would stand in the family room and try to find the four of them under the sea of Christmas wrapping and boxes. I think one Christmas it took us 45 minutes to find little Cassie!

You’re also right about Christmas now. Having all of 4 of them range in age from 20-25 (4 kids in under 6 years–was I nuts?????), it’s still a daunting task in different ways. The girls are not into the gift card thing but clear and specific about what they’d like with pre-knowledge of exact price and location for me to find said gifts. Nate is clear about gift cards, but Brent, who has suddenly bloomed into Mr. Responsible and Mr. Sensible, wants only a plane ticket to Colordo and some stocking stuffers. Nick’s in charge of his daughter, although my girls and I help out with any clothes bought–she definately prefers their taste to her dad’s!

I’m suddenly realizing that Christmas has turned into a piece of cake. No more exhaustion, no more running all over the place to find that exact Cabbage Patch Kid. The last couple of Christmases has been, dare I say, FUN!

Instead of roast turkey and the trimmings, steamed crab legs, artichokes and french bread with bowls of melted butter and warm damp cloths are what’s on the table. Utensils aren’t allowed…the tablecloth is made up of newspapers and utensils aren’t allowed. There’s silly putty and etch-a-sketches on the table and everyone (including Nick and I) loose our abandon, manners and just act like kids.

And, isn’t that the true spirit of Christmas anyway?

Mary