The Christmas Highlights

It is hard to imagine a more magical Christmas than the one we have had…. and though it is but a few days past, I am itching to take it all down and begin the New Year.

But before I do, I want to revisit, one last time, some of the moments that have given this Christmas a story-book feel.

As the season was starting, I knew I wanted to focus on family and the true reason for the season, on Christmas Change, on traditions, and on sprinkling each day with both faith and holiday magic.  We succeeded.

This ornament was handmade by my grandmother.  She will be 97 in February…..and made this for my family when she was 93. It will forever be a staple on our tree.

So will ornaments just like this - I get a new one every year.  I am decorating my tree with family.

Every single day I have run to the mailbox, hunting through the junk mail for the treasures that are holiday cards.  I adore them.  Truly.  Madly.  Deeply.

And now, it is a joy to share a favorite tradition with my small people.  My dad used to read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” to my brother and I every Christmas Eve…now my husband reads to my wee ones.  And from the very same book.

What would Christmas be without food??  My husband is devastated Monkey Bread only appears once a year.

This little guy had a BIG HAND (or paw) in creating the magic that surrounded my family…..he appeared under our tree Christmas morning (thank you very much Santa).  We simply can’t get enough of him.

For the first time ever, my sweet girl was as enamored by giving as by getting.  (Wipes brow with relief) We are doing something right.  Her school had a little Christmas shopping event and allowed the little ones to pick out and wrap gifts for the adults in their lives.  Her gift to me?  A little Faith.  Simply the best gift I have ever received.  When I went to bed Christmas night, I found the gift on my bedside table.  Sweet girl has given this plaque its place of honor.  I will never lose Faith.

Our Family of Five is settling in for the New Year.

Happy Holidays - wishing you joy and love as your holidays wrap up and the New year begins!

Holiday Moments, Memories and Magic

Let me set the stage for you….the lights are dim, you can smell gingerbread (as if I am baking - though I am not) and you hear:

“Juuuuuust hear those sleigh bells jingling….ring-ting-tingling too…..” If this was my childhood, the voices would be those of The Carpenters - and it would be on a record.  Instead it it satellite radio and the voices change from Natalie Cole to Beyonce to Carrie Underwood.

We are decorating for Christmas.  I love all things to do with this holiday.  It is a sensory experience - I love the sight of holiday lights, the smells of gingerbread, cinnamon and evergreen, the music and laughter that highlights my memories and whips me swiftly down memory lane.  It is those same memories that provide the soundtrack path for the moments I want to create with my family.

I have come full circle.  I used to tuck under my dad’s arm on Christmas Eve while he read Twas the Night Before Christmas.  I now watch my husband intone the deep, ‘Ho, Ho, Ho’ that accompanies the story.  I used to wake at 4am, only to stare mournfully at the clock, counting as the minutes ticked by to the time I was allowed to wake my parents - 7am. Now, I am jostled awake (at 6am, mind you) by the small people as the Christmas twinkle in their eyes lights my darkened room.

And I love it.

I love my home at Christmas time.  I love the joy of counting down the days.  I love that we have committed to a Christmas Change this year - spending less and giving more.  I love knowing that my kids, like my brother and I, will fight over who gets to put Baby Jesus in the Manger on Christmas Morning.

I love that I will lock eyes with my husband at the end of the day - knowing we have given our children the most amazing Christmas gifts - ones that they will remember long after the wrapping paper is tossed - moments, memories and magic.

Pure Magic

I’ve been enjoying the true magic of the holidays that can only be experienced through the eyes of little believers.

So….instead of blogging….I’ve been ‘family-ing’.

Today has been heavenly….and the day isn’t even over.  I’m lulled by the peace and quiet of cooking with my parents while my hubby and kiddos rest after an eventful morning.

I had been worried Coop and Delaney (especially Delaney) might have a toddler/child moment and focus on something they ‘didn’t’ receive, but instead, our morning was punctuated by ‘what could it be?’ and ‘I can’t believe it’.

I couldn’t ask for anything more.

I’ll post pictures as soon as I steal them from my mom’s camera.  For once, I participated fully, eyes wide open, instead of squinting behind the lens of the camera.

I truly hope your holidays are the pure magic ours has been.

Special Christmas DVD Giveaway

Fantastic Christmas Presents for your Kids!
A special Christmas DVD set could be under your tree.

 

Five (5) Lucky Winners will receive a CHRISTMAS DVD BUNDLE filled with the following titles:

The Happy Elf

Santa Claus the Movie

Eloise ‘Little Miss Christmas’

Thomas & Friends ‘Ultimate Christmas’

 

Give your child the ultimate Christmas gift with this collection of holiday favorites – Thomas & Friends: Ultimate Christmas, The Happy Elf, Santa Claus: The Movie and Eloise: Little Miss Christmas.

 In Thomas & Friends: Ultimate Christmas , you’ll experience first hand the joy and magic the holiday season brings to Thomas and his friends.

Santa Claus: The Movie is the delightful story of Santa’s greatest adventure of all – to save Christmas for the children of the world!

 

In Eloise: Little Miss Christmas , it’s almost Christmas Eve for Eloise, the Plaza’s most famous six-year old. Don’t miss the fun when she and her friends decide to put on a holiday show like no other!

Kids will love The Happy Elf, narrated by Harry Connick, Jr. It’s the fun-filled story of Eubie, the happy little elf out to save Christmas!

Enter by posting on this blog. Tell us why this Special set would be an ideal gift for your family.

Giveaway Runs until December 15th. Good luck and Thanks for entering!

ExtraordinaryMommy.com is not responsible for prizes that are shipped from outside vendors or sponsors. All entries will be pooled together and five (5) winners will be drawn at random. The winners will have two calendar days to reply via email. Unclaimed prizes will be placed for availability to newly chosen winners after that time. Giveaway is open to all U.S. residents only, must be at least 18 years old to enter. One entry per person, entries accepted through December 15th, 2008 ending at exactly 12:00 midnight EST .