new traditions

I have lived away from my parents home for twenty-one years now. I've only not traveled home for Christmas once before. I tend not to count that time. It was an imposed absence and one I care not to remember. I can live with this kind of re-written history.

So this year, I was not in Sudbury to celebrate Christmas with my folks. Instead, I was in my new house starting new traditions of my own. A week or so before Christmas John and the boys and I went and picked out our tree. It was somewhat smaller than what I imagined it should be although I think the high living room ceiling contributed to that feeling. It filled out nicely and the boys helped dad put on the white lights. I dug out all the decorations I had stashed away which didn't amount to much except yards of lights. My first year back in Ottawa, I put up lights in the front room in about October and refused to take them down until I moved in September! Up went these old lights, in the dining room, the kitchen and the living room. Even the old mouse bells found a home on the boys' bedroom door.

One night before the boys next stay, I decorated the tree and John wrapped presents. It felt like it was finally coming together.

We had the boys for a week prior to Boxing Day. It was a chaotic time full of excitement and regular sibling fighting. We baked shortbread cookies (several batches) which John got on video. We took S and F to get holiday haircuts. We put out treats for Father Christmas and for the first time all week, the two didn't fight us when it was time to crawl into bed!

Christmas morning came early. Not quite as early as I expected but early enough for someone who tries not to speak before 10 am and armed with a cup of coffee. Now that I think about it though, I'm not sure I got much sleep. Between thinking about the boys waking up and trying to figure out how to get John's last present under the tree, I think I was up off and on for hours.

The boys were thrilled with their presents from Father Christmas and a few from us as well. I snapped a few good photos to mark the occasion, especially the one with S opening the radio controlled spider (yes, who knew!). I am not sure his eyes could get any wider. When we showed them the igloo that they had made half crashed, we guessed that Father Christmas had mistaken the igloo for their home and tried to land on the roof. Luckily he still found out door!

The ripping of paper was over in 30 minutes. Thankfully, the moans of "I'm bored" and "I have nothing to play with" didn't come until our next weekend. Now I know how my parents felt....I completely recall uttering the same words as a child..."Moooommmmm, whaaaatttt can I doooo? I'm sooo boooooorrrrreeeddd..."

John has the same tradition as I do of dressing for Christmas dinner which made me happy. We had friends over to enjoy the beautiful lamb he cooked and even ventured out into the cold for some fresh air. The toys were eventually put away and we settled down to watch the Grinch (new version, which is not my fave but was interesting).

All in all, a very lovely first Christmas together.

P.S. I can't wait for next year!