Had A Merry Little Christmas

And as suddenly as it began, Christmas is over.

Wait. Did I say suddenly? As if the holiday sneaked up on me and I woke up to say with surprise in my voice, "It's Christmas Day?"

That didn't happen.

What did happen was shopping online and having a dozen boxes delivered because each book I ordered, each game, each puzzle, was shipped separately and then wrapped and placed under our crooked Christmas tree.

What did happen was a manic cookie making session after Chad confiscated the cookies from my cookie exchange. And by confiscated, I mean he stood in front of the cookie jar and ate them.

What did happen was a flurry of celebrations with Chad's family, ice skating, dinner with my family, and breakfast at my house. Food played a large part.

Which means I have a few pounds to add to that New Year's Resolutions list.

What did happen was making my first gravy from scratch - it was perfect, making my mom's yeast rolls - they were divine, eating Jeff's first turkey - awesome, Sue's green bean casserole - yum, and a chocolate peppermint ice cream cake from Cold Stone that made us all lean back in our chairs and groan with happiness.

What did happen was Elizabeth popping up next to me on Christmas morning after hearing Chad blow his nose and say, "That's a daddy noise, not a Santa noise."

"What's a Santa noise?"

"Ho ho ho," she replied in the deepest voice she could manage.

What did happen was a visit by the tooth fairy and Santa on the same night which made Joseph wonder aloud if they shared the cookies.

What did happen was six hours of Lego construction.

What did happen was playing with cousins.

What did happen was holding chubby babies and kissing soft little cheeks.

And then, it was over and we were left with a fridge full of food, a tree barren of gifts, and a recycle bin filled with boxes.

And the memories, the hectic flashes of memory.

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas.