I hope everyone who celebrates Christmas had a joyous holiday! Ours was the busiest we’ve ever had, but all the visitors, noise and merriment meant we made even more memories.
A glimpse into our Christmas
My family always decorates the Christmas tree with packages upon packages of tinsel—so much that visitors have said they can’t see the ornaments beneath. This year Peeper joined in the Christmas Eve tradition.
She tossed handfuls of silver strands onto the tree, making “spiderwebs” on the branches. The lower boughs still bear thick clumps of tinsel—I couldn’t bear to redistribute them more evenly. After all, having wads of tinsel is a family tradition, too, dating back to when my younger sister was about Peeper’s age.
This was Kiwi’s first Christmas. She was more interested in the wrapping paper and boxes than opening presents, though she did love the Christmas tree and its tinsel.
Kiwi had changed so much since the last time most of our loved ones saw her. The holidays are all about being with family, so it was even more special that we got to spend uninterrupted time together.
Christmas memories
On Christmas morning, the kids dug into their stockings first. Peeper pulled out trinkets and little toys—and glitter glue.
She couldn’t be persuaded to open presents until after she’d emptied a half-dozen tubes of glitter glue on her art projects. Forget toys and surprises; give this girl some Dollar Store glitter glue!
All the anticipation, excitement and breaks in routine took their toll, though. Peeper threw more tantrums than usual, ate hardly anything and skipped naps four days in a row.
At least she worked on her Christmas song repertoire in bed.
[vimeo 150297625 w=500 h=281]
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from Catherine Ryan Gregory on Vimeo.
Christmas is one of my favorite times, but it’s probably good it comes just once a year. This holiday’s cheer will be plenty to get us through until next year.
Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas!! Have a happy new year ?
We did! Wishing you a happy start to 2016 too!
Oh, I totally agree with you about loving Christmas, but being glad it only comes once a year! We had a great holiday, but I am glad that it is over! Now, I get to start building up anticipation for next year!
Haha, totally! I was just starting to get tired of Christmas music. 😉
How fun! I agree, Christmas with kids is SOOO BUSY and crazy. But so joyous and full of great memories.
I love LOVE your family photos, and these are so very precious. Everyone looks so full of family and love and holiday spirit! I do remember how the crazy holiday activities were hard on my own kiddos as babies/toddlers. Still sounds magical 🙂
Such sweet photos as always. Glad your family got some quality time together over the holiday! (I’m guessing there isn’t a cat in your household – we could never have it on our tree because the cat would eat it!)
Love the matching jammies!
Love your blog! I can relate to a toddler skipping naps (only two in a row this week, fortunately) and loved hearing her sweet little voice singing! Thanks for sharing such happiness! Happy New Year!
Thank you! Ugh, the skipped naps are the worst. Solidarity, Mama.
Ha, I just put Zoe down and I think she’s out. How are naps this week, Catherine?
I hope she sleeps! Naps have been very hit or miss, unfortunately. Sometimes she sleeps, sometimes she just hangs out in bed singing at the top of her lungs.
What a lovely photo collection from the holidays. The joy comes through so well. And those striped pajamas ! Enjoy the blessings and cherish the memories you’re creating. Happy New Year to you. Thanks for the read/comment on my post. ?
Thank you! I had so many sweet photos I just had to share. Glad to find your blog, and thanks for the comment!