Christmas morning

Marin calls to us from her bed. When we go in to see her, she just turns over and closes her eyes as if to fall back to sleep.

Colleen and I look at each other like "Wow, did she forget this is Christmas?"!

Then Marin, eyes still closed, asks "Did Santa leave us presents last night?"

US "Yes"

Marin "But he didn't come in the house, right?"

US "Right, Marin, he stayed out in the cold living room

(We call the family room over the garage the cold living room because we heat it only from Thanksgiving to Christmas and, otherwise, close it off and shut it down. Our kids are still terrified of any strangers coming into our house. From what they tell us, they had some bad experiences with intruders beating their families in Ethiopia.)

Marin "Are you sure Santa did not come in our house? He scares me."

US "Marin, we promise, Santa and all the elves stayed out in the cold living room."

Marin breaks into this wide grin, wakes up Emmy, and we all head downstairs to the cold living room to unwrap presents.

First Christmas

It was perfect.

For Christmas Eve the girls wore beautiful red dresses, white tights, and black shoes. We had dinner at Aunt Joy & Uncle Vinny (long family tradition) and later visited the Pompeo cousins (new family tradition). The girls did not hit the pillows until 11PM. That was a blessing because they slept in Christmas Day until 8AM.

Finally, Colleen and I were worried they may never wake up, so we tiptoed in to check on the girls. Marin was lying on her back, eyes bulging, and this glorious look of anticipation in her face. She whispered "Did Santa come to my house?" And we told her yes. She asked "Did Santa eat the cookie I made for him?" And we told her yes. Now, barely containing her excitement, Marin asked "Did he drink my milk, too?" And we told her yes.

Marin could not wait for Emmy to wake up, so we took her down to see the tree and presents. She took a quick look around, smiled with satisfaction, and announced matter of factly that we must go wake up Emmy immediately. So we did. Emmy was cranky and wanted to sleep, but Marin finally persuaded her to join us downstairs.

The girls got sleeping bags, a LeapFrog computer, a beautiful maple toybox, and clothes, games, food and candy. It was not an expensive Christmas, but no matter, the kids were overjoyed.

Christmas Day went smooth as silk. Colleen's side of the family joined us late morning for gift exchange and mid day meal. They left about 2PM when we put the kids down for a rest. We woke the kids around 4PM, just in time for Leo's side of the family to join us for another gift exchange and the evening meal.

I know life has a way of throwing curve balls just when you think you have it figured out - but man - we are so pleased with the way we put this Christmas together and we think we have the model for the future.

Merrrrrrry Christmas everybody.

Halloween

People who know us know that we are trying to low key most things so our kids do not get caught up in typical American consumerism. Our kids are so grateful and appreciative of even the smallest gestures, and we want to preserve that for as long as possible.

So we explained Halloween is a day when we dress up in costumes and have a party at Cousin Pete's house. Party was Sat 10/28. Pack the costumes away. Done deal. (ahem.....wrong)

I picked Marin up from school on Oct 31. She bops in the car, all smiles, and says "Daddy. Trick or Treating?"

ME: (thinking she is just parroting and not really knowing what she is sayin) What is that?
MARIN: You know. Go to house, ring door, say trick or treat, give me candy.
ME: (under my breath) crap. she knows.

So I Colleen on the phone and say "She knows". Colleen says "Emmy knows, too." I said "damage control." Colleen says "We'll hit 4 places and the kids will think they struck gold."


So that was our Halloween. We had planned to really low key Christmas. You know - focus on food, family, music, and the spirit of Christmas. Now we're bracing ourselves for the Santa express.