Smackdown 2009...Jules vs. Christmas

Let's just first ignore the fact that part of this post

was supposed to happen about two weeks ago...

life got in the way of blogging...

but I have not recharged yet,

so here I am including it anyway...deal with it.

Oh, yeah...I apologize this is long.

I should have a giveaway at the end

for those who stick with it...but I don't.

Let me first say, that this may be one of the best Christmases in a long time...Oh it is always good for the kids, but I finally chilled out! I was determined to have a good time...and I promised hubby that "Happy Holly" was invited to this party. I usually stress myself out with making and packaging and wrapping presents up until the final moment...not this year...I started early, and when I got behind called for reinforcements...a babysitter!

Blinko made the trip with Mom and Dad...

and Jules was NOT allowed to touch him!

As for Christmas dinner...I did break out the china to eat off, but left the serving platters and bowls wherever they were hiding...we did not use the "fancy" stuff! I served in whatever was available. We made a great meal and we all got to sit down together.

I was a Christmas slacker and I am proud!

Honestly, I am glad we, and Christmas made it to that point.
I truly thought Jules was bound and
determined to take Christmas down,

and so I dubbed this year:

SMACKDOWN 2009.....JULES VS. CHRISTMAS

Yes, this face did some serious damage!

I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined what her fascination with Christmas would be. From the moment the boxes labeled "Xmas" came out of the garage, Jules has been on a rampage. Was she was overcome by the Christmas spirit or simply fascinated by it all - the sparkles, the lights, the tree the ornaments, all this stuff that sings and makes noises?

"Bells at the Bottom"

A traditon started by my grandparents...

my dad must have been naughty
when it came to peeking at presents,
so the bells go at the bottom near the presents,
to "alert" someone when a kiddo is peeking.

Well, on a daily basis, if she wasn't hiding in the tree, some toy or half eaten apple was. I found balls, shoes, Barbies, and dog bones...hiding in the tree. That was the easy part...we now have 10 missing chandelier crystals, 8 hidden jingle bells, 6 crackedsnowflakes, 4 smashed Hallmark Ornaments (unfortunately she did not break the half-naked Princess Leia one...I know you are jealous...I have two...any bidders?), 3 broken nutcrackers, 2 collapsed gingerbread houses, and a partridge in a pear tree. But oh what fun she had...I really couldn't be mad! I cannot wait to see where she hid the snowflakes and the bells!

Just a few casualties!

Just because I know you are dying to see it...

Princess Leia...you are sooo jealous!

Sorry, not done yet! I just have to talk about my favorite decoration of all - the Christmas tree. I love the way the tree sparkles and fills a room with soft twinkling light. Even I, in all my blah, blah, holiday spirit will admit there is something really beautifulabout a gorgeous tree with some simple white lights. Do you think people would think I'm weird(OK, I am weird!) if I bought a fake one and left it up all year? Jules would be thrilled!

Joe reading the Santa letter to Jules

To me the tree is magical. As a kid, I always wanted to go buy a tree ASAP and have it hang around as long as possible. I always wanted to leave the pile of presents by the tree for just as long. Funny how things change...as a mom, we unwrapped and fairly efficiently moved all the gifts to the respective new "homes" (sort of).

Yesterday, I took down the decorations. Today, just a few days after Christmas (gasp!), I took down the ornaments, in preparation to remove the tree tomorrow...I know, I know..I am horrible...but I just cannot stand the pine needles any more, and I like to start the new year off fresh.

And, yes, it did cause trauma...Jules cried, begged me not to take the ornaments, pleaded for me to hang them back up..but I am strong...I did not back down...however, she now has ornament hanging from various places in her room and I am sure she stashed a few in her back pack.

But, really I am looking at this perfect tree in its simple glory and reflecitng on this years holiday and so happy I took a chill pill (not really...and only one glass of wine!)
Cheers!
Holly