It's not just one day in the household of Moser-Remynse.
It's 4 straight days.
Actually this year it was 4.5 days.
That's right - the idea of a schedule with normal eating routine was tossed out the window!
Christmas had a little lay-up before we started. Grady had surgery to put his tubes in his ears. We had had it scheduled for the second week of January but they had an opening that we jumped at. With all the ear infections we've been fighting since October, the sooner those went in the better. He went through surgery pretty well - came out with some tears but was happy to get something in his belly. However on the car ride home - it all came up. And after we got home - it came up again.
That night - after his stomach had settled and E got home, we went to the live nativity that I was aware of. They had individuals in the manger and then beside the manger, there was a pen of animals - a couple cows, a couple sheep, a couple donkeys, and a llama (we think it was a stand in for the camels). E was a little mystified by the whole thing. G just liked petting the donkeys. It was a bit cold that night so we stayed long enough to take it all in.
We kicked off the Christmas weekend small... with the Pinkertons. They were passing through on their way to Minot and it worked perfect to have them stop in for a playdate and gift exchange. E and G came home early from daycare. For the most part, the kids all play so well together. E did hit a rough spot where she chucked a wooden toy container at Oliver and attempted to push her brother down the stairs but I guess we all have bad days?! Oliver, Allison, E and I made pretzel bites - which was fun to do even though E kept gobbling up the building material and coughing on the product!
We started with a few presents to open. E got a baking kit that she really liked. G got a truck that he liked making motor sounds for. Matt and I came out well too - a instant pot and a set of birkenstocks. After lunch - G went down for a nap, Amanda and Eleanor made little fruit Santas. Was cute of her to think of an activity that was age appropriate and E was excited about. E was the most excited about the tablet that Grandma and Grandpa got her - we let her and Grandpa play with it for awhile. Then for supper (the pizza throw down) they got to sit on Grady's new table! Matt and Eric made pizzas for all. I think Matt had the better pizza but Michele and Randy said it was a tie. That night, the kids were tuckered out when they got home!
Sunday was the Moser Extended Christmas at our house. Everything was going fine until about 20 minutes before people started showing up. The dishwasher started backing up and the sink was backing up. Long story short - I know have multiple holes in my guest room ceiling because the water started coming through the light underneath the dishwasher and the seams started giving away due to the water. Jaden and Matt worked hard to figure out what the clog was - I was glad he had support. I will admit at the end of the day I had a meltdown - I hadn't even had time to sort through the baby clothes that I had laid out in that room, so they are just thrown into the other room until I can re-sort through them again. Aside from that - the food was good and the meal went along well despite plumbing problems. People visited and it was fun to hear the conversations and bantering around me. E got along great with all and took a special liking to Sam.
Monday slowed down a bit. That morning, we had our Christmas exchange with our little family. E got an art easel and some jewelry, G got his own chair and a tool workbench. Matt and I exchanged art that reminded us of our England trip - not planned, perfect coincidence. We soaked in them playing with their toys a bit. We relaxed a bit more - eating breakfast, being slow, taking naps (both kids) and then we got ready for the Dagman Christmas. We went and bought a new dishwasher - an unplanned present!
We got Christmas outfits ready and took pics in front of the Christmas tree. Ten minutes after the pictures, while we were getting our coats on, the tree fell over. Both of the kids' first year ornaments broke - I was devastated and trying to keep it together until E starts crying. Then I lost it. Their handprints are things I can't replace but Matt and I are going to glue them back together. So we composed ourselves, loaded the vehicle and showed up late to Grace's house. This kids had so much fun playing with their cousins! They had a few gifts and filled up on sugar and we thought we had already pressed our luck when we left at 10:25. Before bed, we got things ready for Santa and put on our Christmas Jammies.
Tuesday - Nothing is so sweet as watching your sweet-faced toddler come running out of her room, in her plaid-dress Christmas Jammies, yelling "Santa is here!" We examined the plate of cookies and spread that we'd prepped the night before and headed down to open our Santa sacks. E got a paw patrol pillow case and paw patrol panties with a wonky donky book. G got a boom box and a "that's not my penguin" book. We got on the road late and headed to the farm.
It was a nice day, relaxed, with plenty of food (prime rib and steamed king crab) - once again, we were gifted too much (that's been the theme of the past 4 days). And we enjoyed conversation and each other's company. The kids both napped too - so that was winning for everyone!On Monday afternoon -
ALR: Eleanor, Santa will be coming tonight, we need to get ready for him.
EER: Get ready for him?
ALR: Yes, we set out cookies and milk for him.
MJR: And carrots for the reindeer.
EER: And coffee.
MJR: Obviously, you've been talking to Grandma about what Santa needs.
But yes, we made sure our Keurig was on and a K-cup was ready for Santa.
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