Remote Control

I am so glad the holiday season is over for the year. While I thoroughly enjoyed Christmas, it has been quite exhausting and I'm just plain tired. Unfortunately, the kids are still running full speed ahead. I seriously need to invent a remote control that has a "Child Mute" button and an "Instant Sleep" button.

In fact, my husband was watching a Stargate episode last night where the people were "infected" with some sort of bug that made them go to sleep at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. It occurs to me that this sort of technology could be quite useful in the world of parenting. I could program them to go to sleep at the same time each night without fussing or whining. There would be no more "I'm not tired!" to contend with. Wow! Wouldn't that be awesome...

Oh well. Since such a thing does not actually exist, I will simply cope with the process of reprogramming them the good old fashioned way - BRUTE FORCE!

Christmas Trees

We spent the evening at my mother-in-law's house enjoying dinner and letting the kids play. The highlight of the evening, though, was when Grandma finally said it was time to decorate her tree. Her boys had set the tree up last Thursday, but the decorating had to wait because she was too sick for the girls to come over and help. She wouldn't dream of trying to decorate the tree without them, so she waited.

I don't believe I have ever seen two children more excited than those two little girls as Grandma pulled box after box of ornaments out for them to place on the tree. They both eagerly awaited the next piece that would be handed to them for the most important task of locating the very best spot to showcase that ornament. Daddy even helped them when they decided that an ornament was best displayed from the higher branches where they were unable to reach, lifting each one up to the proper height and holding them steady until their precious ornaments were placed upon the proper limb.

I laid on the sofa and watched the excitement, preferring to sit on the sides and take in the scene. Being involved in the process only irritates me when I'm tripping over little people or dealing with the "me first" cries of excitement. It's much better for me - and them - if I just sit and watch.

Grandma turned on the radio to play the seasonal music so that we could all enjoy the songs of holidays while the tree was being decorated. It was quite relaxing to lay there and listen to the chatter of excitement and the "oohs" and "ahs" as the girls were shown each new ornament. Grandma even told the stories of the ornaments and how they came to be in her possession. This is my favorite part, listening to her talk about the history of her tree's adornments. It's a special time for me to hear how she remembers those ornaments and the people who gave them to her or the special meaning that each one may have for her.

There was a time, not so very long ago, when Christmas was absolutely the WORST time of year for me. I was the Bah Humbug Queen. Now I actually enjoy most of the season's festivities. I've learned how to remove myself from the parts that cause me too much stress and enjoy those times that are special thanks to dear husband and his family. I am so blessed to have him and them in my life.