Christmas
So far, this has been one of the top Christmases ever. We had my mother and George in town, which made it all the more special.
On the 22nd, we took Lilian to see Christmas Street in Hampden. Next year, I want to start my tradition of going early, having dinner, and then walking the street. This year we had dinner at home and by the time we got there, she was ready for bed.
On the 23rd, I got some stuff ready for dinner the next day and picked up my parents at the train station relatively late - I think they actually arrived around 10:40. Then I took them to Christmas Street and it was received with childlike wonder, which was awesome. Then some wine and staying up talking that night.
On the 24th, we all went to the gym, did some final errands, and my mother and I started on the pies. This was my first attempt at making my mother's (and grandmother's and great grandmother's) pie crusts and pies and, while the rolling was So frustrating, they came out pretty decent. Then it was immediately onto dinner. I made roast beef, yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and dill carrots. Our thermometer is crap so the beef came out medium since the temp told me it needed more time. Which also held up dinner. Ah well. We also got a visit from the neighbors Jonathan and Vince who brought us delicious banana bread and other holiday sweets. Yum!! Lilian loved the mashed potatoes but was ready for bed! We gave her her eggnog present (the Christmas Eve present), which were pjs and socks from Josh's aunt and uncle in Washington, and I read her The Night Before Christmas.
After she went to bed, we got things ready for under the tree and brunch tomorrow. My mother and I set about preparing a sausage & egg strata and egg nog french toast to be baked the next day for brunch. As well as burning pumpkin bread. Oops. George and Josh put together Lilian's big presents, which were an activity table and Elmo's Restaurant. Then we exchanged our eggnog presents (pjs for me from mom, a copy of the Nikki Heat book from Josh, slippers and coffee for Josh from me and Lilian and little things for mom and geo) and settled down for a long winter's nap.
After a rough night (I think Lilian had a nightmare?), it was Christmas Day at last!! Lilian woke earlier than normal, which is setting the tone for future Christmas mornings, and we gave her breakfast before letting her into the living room. After making a beeline for her empty Cheerios container, she finally noticed the presents. Present opening took all day. She actually enjoyed and appreciated every little thing so much that she had to play with it for awhile before being interested in the next thing. We didn't get her much, but she loved everything. Each book had to be read over and over after opening; the art table got seriously broken in with her markers and coloring book; Elmo'sRestaurant got some serious love; etc etc. She opened her last book around 6pm I think. But it was absolutely amazing and wonderful and I loved every minute. Then we all sat down to a delicious brunch, if I do say so myself, and stayed in our pj's for the rest of the day. Naps were taken, babies and parents were cuddled, and it was completely and totally wonderful. That night, the four of us played Uno and drank wine for hours. A lovely cap to a lovely day. And for those wondering, Josh got things so very right present wise. A spa gift certificate, make up, a pearl necklace and earrings (the jewelry), and popcorn. Perfect.
Saturday we all trekked to Lancaster to see the rest of the sibs and families. We even had a professional photographer document the event. More presents were given out to the kids and then Josh took Lilian home while I stayed to hang out with the fam. My stepbrother Joe got us all hotel rooms int he area and I got to hang out even longer with my sisters.
Tomorrow I head up to Scranton for more merriment with my father and then next Saturday we celebrate with Josh's family. So far, I have very little to complain about. I loved this Christmas. I loved my family being here. I loved being with my husband. I loved Lilian so so very much and her reaction was amazing. I loved seeing the rest of my family. It was almost perfect. Soon I'll download pictures and post them.
On the 22nd, we took Lilian to see Christmas Street in Hampden. Next year, I want to start my tradition of going early, having dinner, and then walking the street. This year we had dinner at home and by the time we got there, she was ready for bed.
On the 23rd, I got some stuff ready for dinner the next day and picked up my parents at the train station relatively late - I think they actually arrived around 10:40. Then I took them to Christmas Street and it was received with childlike wonder, which was awesome. Then some wine and staying up talking that night.
On the 24th, we all went to the gym, did some final errands, and my mother and I started on the pies. This was my first attempt at making my mother's (and grandmother's and great grandmother's) pie crusts and pies and, while the rolling was So frustrating, they came out pretty decent. Then it was immediately onto dinner. I made roast beef, yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and dill carrots. Our thermometer is crap so the beef came out medium since the temp told me it needed more time. Which also held up dinner. Ah well. We also got a visit from the neighbors Jonathan and Vince who brought us delicious banana bread and other holiday sweets. Yum!! Lilian loved the mashed potatoes but was ready for bed! We gave her her eggnog present (the Christmas Eve present), which were pjs and socks from Josh's aunt and uncle in Washington, and I read her The Night Before Christmas.
After she went to bed, we got things ready for under the tree and brunch tomorrow. My mother and I set about preparing a sausage & egg strata and egg nog french toast to be baked the next day for brunch. As well as burning pumpkin bread. Oops. George and Josh put together Lilian's big presents, which were an activity table and Elmo's Restaurant. Then we exchanged our eggnog presents (pjs for me from mom, a copy of the Nikki Heat book from Josh, slippers and coffee for Josh from me and Lilian and little things for mom and geo) and settled down for a long winter's nap.
After a rough night (I think Lilian had a nightmare?), it was Christmas Day at last!! Lilian woke earlier than normal, which is setting the tone for future Christmas mornings, and we gave her breakfast before letting her into the living room. After making a beeline for her empty Cheerios container, she finally noticed the presents. Present opening took all day. She actually enjoyed and appreciated every little thing so much that she had to play with it for awhile before being interested in the next thing. We didn't get her much, but she loved everything. Each book had to be read over and over after opening; the art table got seriously broken in with her markers and coloring book; Elmo'sRestaurant got some serious love; etc etc. She opened her last book around 6pm I think. But it was absolutely amazing and wonderful and I loved every minute. Then we all sat down to a delicious brunch, if I do say so myself, and stayed in our pj's for the rest of the day. Naps were taken, babies and parents were cuddled, and it was completely and totally wonderful. That night, the four of us played Uno and drank wine for hours. A lovely cap to a lovely day. And for those wondering, Josh got things so very right present wise. A spa gift certificate, make up, a pearl necklace and earrings (the jewelry), and popcorn. Perfect.
Saturday we all trekked to Lancaster to see the rest of the sibs and families. We even had a professional photographer document the event. More presents were given out to the kids and then Josh took Lilian home while I stayed to hang out with the fam. My stepbrother Joe got us all hotel rooms int he area and I got to hang out even longer with my sisters.
Tomorrow I head up to Scranton for more merriment with my father and then next Saturday we celebrate with Josh's family. So far, I have very little to complain about. I loved this Christmas. I loved my family being here. I loved being with my husband. I loved Lilian so so very much and her reaction was amazing. I loved seeing the rest of my family. It was almost perfect. Soon I'll download pictures and post them.