Wednesday, December 26, 2007

The most wonderful time of the year...

Christmas Day is behind us, and it is without even a twinge of wistfulness that I bid it farewell. We enjoyed it, all of it: Christmas Eve at my moms with tons of cousins and laughter and the hot roast beef on hard rolls of my childhood. Followed by a less cherished, but equally steadfast tradition of wrapping presents from Santa long after midnight. A bleary eyed Christmas morning of five minutes of unwrapping the same gifts and two hours of taking them out of their packaging and assembling them. Brunch, utilizing our new waffle maker, and then a tradition I implemented last year of simultaneous mommy & baby Christmas naps. Lastly, over to The Man's family gathering that evening, where all the children entertained us by singing their favorite Christmas Carols. Because my children and their cousins come from generations of hams performers. There's not a shy one in the bunch. It was like Norman Rockwell meets the karaoke Bar.

Just Priceless.

Overall I would say it was one of our better years, judging just by it's failure to produce any truly memorable events. We are known for ruining holidays with illnesses in our home. We have had pinkeye on Christmas morning, head lice on New Years Eve, and a plethora of other viruses that have caused tears and disappointments over the years. But this year we were all healthy and well behaved. Even Clara was an angel when we put her to bed at 10PM two nights in a row.

But today, this week starting with December 26th, truly is my favorite time of the year. When the planning and preparing is over and the family is home together. The children are still giddy with new toys and leftover goodies and the days go by lazily and unplanned. We go to the movies and play board games. We invite friends over and sleep in late (Someone please tell Ben he is supposed to sleep in late!). Today the children and I stayed in our new pajamas the entire day, sending The Man out at one point for batteries to feed our new toy frenzy.

And even now, as I sit writing this I do it to the soundtrack of my little boy and my husband crashing cars together. There is nothing like listening to your three year old squeal "Yeah baby! I smashed you up!" to his father to bring on the post Christmas warm fuzzies.

And so it is with a genuine light heart, at last, that I wish you all - Zipity Do Dah, pass the wine & throw another log on the fire, because Christmas is over until next year - Holiday blessings.

Here's a family snapshot from yesterday at The Man's family gathering. Brandon isn't in the shot because he was at his mothers. I am sure he was enjoying himself, but his cousins were all there and we missed him greatly. Our family just doesn't seem complete without him.

Oh and someone asked me why Ben was pouting. It's because he is three. And he didn't get his way about something so trivial I can't even remember it. And because he's three. Did I mention that?

19 comments:

karen said...

That's a great picture! Joy, you totally look like a teen idol pop star!

Chaotic Joy said...

Wow, thanks Karen. I don't even know what to say to that! I was noticing that I have perfected the art of strategically placing my head on top of a baby to hide my chins. I doubt that most pop starts would place this in their top beauty secrets.

painted maypole said...

oh joy. you are just beautiful. your family, too.

and this: "Norman Rockwell meets the karaoke Bar."

bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha

can I hang out with your family?

Anonymous said...

Such a handsome family! Merry Christmas to you.

Kyla said...

YOU are so GORGEOUS! Wow.

Merry Christmas. Ours was wonderful, too. And I love, love, love the post-Christmas calm in the house. Everyone entirely content with their new loot, no whining refrains if "But I'm so booooored." Ahhhh, peace.

thirtysomething said...

Great picture! What beautiful memories. I agree with you, glad it is over for a year though!
Hey..you ever get accused of being your daughter's SISTER? 'Cause you look so young and gorgeous, girl!

LMP said...

It's true, it's a lovely photo. Glad you had a merry Christmas, now on to the happy new year!

Chrissy said...

Oh, I'm glad to hear you had a good Christmas. It is a gamble with little kids sometimes, isn't it. That picture is gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

I'll have to agree with the other bloggers...you are beautiful! Great to see a recent picture of you. I'm glad you enjoyed your Christmas. Thanks for making me laugh with this post.

Chaotic Joy said...

Okay, you guys are embarrassing me.

In the name of honesty, I feel the need to say this is NOT what I look like. I mean okay, maybe once a year with a good camera angle and a kid to hide chin rolls, it is. But most of the time I am just an overweight mom running around makeup free with unwashed hair in a ponytail. I am sure that all the people I know IRL, are rolling their eyes at the comments because they know what I actually look like. It's just a good picture.
Thanks AGAIN to my SIL for taking it.

Which is why it's the first one of ME you have seen on here in a LONG time. And probably the last.

Casdok said...

Lovely photo! And sounds like you had a lovely time!

Lynn Stallworth said...

Ben might be pouting, but who can hardly notice with Clara busting at the seams full of joy! This picture really turned out great. I think it's one that's truly frame-worthy! You looked wonderful on Christmas. I'm sorry we couldn't chat more. Two toddlers in a house that isn't baby-proofed makes me feel like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs!

Chaotic Joy said...

Lynn-I would frame it because we don't have a family picture but Brandon's not in it. Maybe we could just paste his face over Aunt Leigh's. You wouldn't mind would you Leigh? :-)

Belle said...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Christine said...

1) i love this time, too! we actually celebrate the 12 days of christmas with much debauchery.

2) you are BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Running on empty

Lisa Spence said...

Post Christmas, my favorite part of the holiday as well! We too have been lazy and loved every minute of it!

And I love the family pic...you are beautiful, but I love the comment you posted that you're just a mom running around town with dirty hair...I love your honesty, because that's me too!

Lynne's Somewhat Invented Life said...

This was nice, a glimpse into your family life. May you stay ill-free all during the holiday.

Lori said...

Okay, I am going to have to try that trick of placing my head on top of a baby... because you look gorgeous!

And I totally get how you can look one way in a certain picture, in a certain moment, and the rest of the time... not so much... That's me too.

Sarahviz said...

What a lovely family--thanks for sharing!