Holiday Magic

When I was a kid, I don't ever remember being awake before my parents on Christmas morning.  I guess I've always been a sleeper.  I do remember us reading the passage of Luke 2 every year, and I would either play a Christmas tune on my flute or keyboard before the gift ravaging began.

Christmas over the past decade or so has sucked for me.  I, however, enjoyed this Christmas more than any of those others.  Phil is finally here to celebrate with me, and I was able to focus all of my love and energy on him.  I saved lots of money, got lots of sleep, and drank lots of cocktails without worrying about more debt, caffeine drips, or babysitters.  I didn't have to be creative or peruse Pinterest for HOURS and come up with stupid Elf doll ideas and pretend he was too tired to move because I actually forgot about him and his stupid elf-self.  I got to peruse Pinterest for cute Christmas crafts I'd never make.

On Christmas Eve, I wrapped presents while I guzzled Cranberry Vodkas, and laughed and watched Christmas movies and enjoyed myself...I stayed up late and didn't have to hide presents and negotiate with my 5-year-old that he had to go to bed because according to NORAD, Santa was 30-feet away. 

There are few things I value more than a good night's sleep.  I got to sleep until 8:30 on Christmas morning.  Aaahhhhhh what glory!!  There were no kids running into my room at 5:30 a.m., screaming "IT'S CHRISTMAS IT'S CHRISTMAS!"  and jumping on the bed, their feet landing on my face.  I didn't have to cook a breakfast that everyone was too excited to eat.  I got to have my coffee, lounge around for a little while, thank the Lord that there was no snow on the ground, fix my contribution to Christmas lunch at my brother's, and prance around in my Christmas LulaRoe ornament leggings.

My brother's house is where all the kid magic was...4 nieces later, we have presents and bows and trash bags for days.  They ripped open boxes and went from one gift to the next, their heads spinning by the time they were done because there was stuff everywhere.  And I didn't have to clean any of it up! Hahahaha!

I spent the evening at my aunt & uncle's house; my cousins and their families were there...we drank lots of wine and played Cards Against Humanity.  No rules, no restrictions...just lots and lots of fun.  Footloose and fancy free...until about 10:30 when we all decided we were too old to pull a late night.  

I have been told several times by several people that kids are the key to a magical Christmas.  The light in their eyes, the smiles on their faces, the hopes, the wishes, the elves...just simply watching their awe is enough to fill your heart with pure and utter joy.  And when Christmas morning arrives, the sheer excitement of running to the tree to see what Santa has brought is worth all of the hustle and bustle.  Well, my Christmas was pretty magical anyway....except I'm willing to bet I got more sleep than most of you! Hehehe.