Christmas 2013

 

I’m sitting here in a quiet house in January watching the snow fall, toys and Christmas decorations filling the house reflecting back on what a nice holiday season.  I did my best this year to try and stop a few times and enjoy the moments but that’s not as easy as it seems and a few times I smiled and thought I need to remember this moment for the blog.  A couple of times I had to laugh and thought, my to get all these memories in, it’s going to be a long blog post.

Looking back, Thanksgiving seems so long ago.  I know we had a ton of turkey as always, I’m a bit of a turkey junky.  I also just love to cook and Thanksgiving feeds both of those (pun intended).  After Thanksgiving we had all kinds of leftovers but that’s fine with me and as we found out Little Man also loves turkey sandwiches.  Jynx or Mom I’m not sure what to call her in the blog but since I’m writing this more for the kid’s enjoyment later I think I’ll just refer to her as Mommy got on the recipes and we had Turkey Tetrazzini of course. Mommy didn’t make it but Auntie Jea Jea did and it was fantastic.  It was special this Thanksgiving to hear Little Man’s voice wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving at the time was just a big clue to us how our Christmas season would go but I didn’t really have a clue at the time.  I love the movie A Christmas Story, for those of you who are also fans you may see clues in our Thanksgiving as well.  Dad is a big turkey fan, turkey leftovers from sandwiches to Turkey Tetrazzini.  Our Christmas this year in many ways was going to be our own Christmas Story.

 

The day after Thanksgiving, we loaded up the kids and headed out to Downers Grove to their tree lighting ceremony, the rumor was that they were going to have a special visit from the big guy himself, Santa.  The kids, Mommy, Auntie Jea Jea, Uncle Brett, Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Rick all met at the library for some Christmas activities.  They then headed out onto the street to march in a parade to the train station and the tree lighting ceremony.  Just behind them in a big fire truck was the guy we all wanted to see, Santa.  Santa climbed out of the fire truck and helped light the big Christmas tree and then took a few moments with Jame and Hope well More Jame than Hope.  This was Hope’s year to be terrified of Santa and even with her big brothers reassurances she was not happy with him at all.

Later that week, we loaded up the kids again and headed out to Hammond, Indiana.  They had a display on the movie, A Christmas Story.  The Author of “In God we trust everyone else must pay cash” Jean Sheperd was from Hammond.  I was hoping to get some pictures and maybe something for the Christmas card.  The first thing was a statue outside of Flick with his tongue stuck to the pole and Little Man was all too happy to stick out his tongue.  When we went inside of course there it was the “Major Award” and the kids walked right up to “The soft glow of electric sex in the window” after getting a few shots with the famous leg lamp we walked around the rest of the displays.  They also had a slide after you saw Santa just like in the movie but with no Santa there that day they wouldn’t allow the kids to even sit at the end of the slide so we did our best to make it work.  I also brought the bunny ears from Hope’s Easter costume to get the shot of the deranged Easter Bunny.  Mission accomplished, we had gotten enough photos for the Christmas card and early, now all I had to do was edit them and get them printed.  I think they turned out pretty nice.

The first weekend in December meant it was time for the Johnson girls Christmas Cookie exchange and in past years we were unable to attend due to our North Pole obligations but we made arrangement this year to make it.  After a lot of baking and baking and some more baking we dressed up the kids in their Christmas outfits and of course that lead to more photos we had to take of them.  Little Man loves going since his best friend Baley will be there and Hope had no problems finding other kids to play with as well.  Then the big moment arrived when Santa showed up to say hi and talk with the girls and boys.  Hope once again began to cry and scream and do everything in her power to stay away from the evil bearded man in the red suit. Mommy was not going to have a repeat of Jame crying when given to Santa but luckily Aunt Wendy was willing to do the dirty work and we got the crying photo of Santa and Hope.  Maybe next year she will be a little less afraid of Santa.  Little Man has no problem with Santa and  he told Santa how he wanted a skateboard for Christmas and that he had been a good boy.  This time Santa had a surprise and presented Little Man with Elf Bean. 

We brought Elf Bean home and opened the container and sure enough his adventures started the next morning and what a character Elf Bean turned out to be.  He had a snowball fight with Buzz Lightyear and Bumble Bee; he roasted a marshmallow, made a snow angel and even hung upside down in a slinky.  All in all Bean had a very good year and it may be hard for him to top it next year.

 

We or I should just say I, “Daddy,” decided it might be fun to go downtown for the Disney Michigan Avenue lights parade.  The reason I take all the credit for the idea is that it turned out to be a horrible idea.  We bundled up, parked the car at Grandma Rosie’s and Grandpa Jim’s house and took the train ride down which turned out to be the best part of the trip.  When we arrived downtown we walked down Michigan Avenue and I thought we had better stake out a place so we parked the stroller and I stood guard as Mommy took the kids in and out of the stores to keep them warm.  I talked with the family next to me who drove up from St. Louis to see the parade because they heard it was so good.  I was encouraged thinking my standing in the cold would be worth it.  As the parade grew closer the crowd grew as well and I soon found myself fighting to just hold my ground.  The parade started and Mommy did her best to hand me Hope but a lady was screaming at her because she was going to fall over a stroller, that’s right our stroller that we had hoped would hold a position so our kids could see the parade.  As the parade began to pass by I did my best to hold position and not get the kids crushed and matters only got worse when someone would walk along handing out a little trinket, adults had no problem snatching it out from the kids.  When the Disney characters arrived way on top of a double decker bus and hard to see even from the front lines Little Man informed me that it was not them but just some guy in a costume.  I couldn’t believe it, already, I thought.  The parade was mostly busses filled with sponsor’s big balloons that were cool to see and some bands that Hope enjoyed.  We turned to leave or just head into Nordstrom’s for some warmth when once again the crowd became overwhelming and we were separated, luckily after a few tense moments and a lot of pushing (not by me) we were reunited.  We warmed up and headed back to the train, all I could think about was the scene from A Christmas Story with the family at the parade.  I wonder if after that year if Ralphie and his family ever returned to the parade; I know we will not be going to the parade again.  There is a parade in Crete that we were going to try but the cold kept us away, maybe next year we will try that one.

Little Man’s preschool had a Christmas Program and being new parents we were not too sure what to expect.  Mommy, Daddy, Hope, Mimi, Grandma Rosie, Grandpa Jim, Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Rick all went to the program.  We got a program when we arrived and saw that Jame was playing the Sheppard, we had no idea, he didn’t talk about it and I had made it a habit of asking him everyday what he did in school.  I couldn’t believe it when I saw him in his costume and seeing him up there with the class singing, brought tears to my eyes.  I doubt until he has kids how good that felt for both Mommy and I.  Since the program, Jame has been singing more at home and even does Jesus Loves me and Jingle Bells but of course as a dad it is my job to teach him the Batman smells version.  After the program Jame gave us an ornament with his picture another thing I still can’t get over with him, all the arts and crafts he has been bringing home from school.  Our pantry door is now filled with crafts every holiday so much so that I have now painted magnetic paint on the door to make it easier to put them up.  After the play we went to Little Man’s favorite restaurant Tyler’s Tender to celebrate.

Little Man got to see Santa once again at his preschool when Santa stopped by for a visit.  It was amazing how different he acted in class and how shy he was.  I was impressed on how well the entire class behaved.  Little Man was one of the last kids to go up and see Santa and he once again said he was a good boy and once again asked for the skateboard or as sometimes he referred to it as that board with the wheels on the bottom.  We were never sure if he wanted a scooter, roller skates or a skateboard.  The skateboard was quickly becoming his Red Ryder BB Gun.  Santa told him to be good and to listen to Ms. Travis his Teacher.

Jynx and her mom or should I say Mommy and Mimi talk about how they used to always take a day around the holidays and head down to Marshal Fields and eat lunch in the walnut room around the big Christmas tree.  I thought it might be fun to bring back this tradition.  We picked a weekday dressed up the kids and of course we had to take more pictures.  We headed to Macy’s still feels a bit strange that it’s no longer Marshal Fields.  We arrived and got checked in and it was only about an hour wait with a pager that would work anywhere in the store, it really wasn’t bad at all.  We walked over and found a little area where kids could write and mail a letter to Santa this kept the kids busy. 

Before long we were headed back to the Walnut room and were seated.  The food was good and both Mommy and Mimi were happy that their favorite salad was still on the menu.  Little Man was happy they had chicken nuggets with bee sauce on the menu.  Bee sauce is what he calls honey mustard.  We got a visit from a Walnut room fairy who gave Little Man a wishing rock and did some magic wand wish glitter thing for Jame, Hope and Mommy.  When the fairy left, Little Man informed us that was not a real fairy because real fairies are small and have wings.  We ordered desserts, Jame got a snowman ice cream, Mommy and Mimi ordered a Yule log and I got the Frango cheesecake and the cheesecake was fantastic.  After the meal one of the Fairies came by and told us about a book she had written on the Walnut room fairies.  We bought one and had her sign it and it does explain in it why they don’t have wings.  I have been looking to see when the fairies started in the Walnut room but have had no luck. 

After the meal we went up one floor to see the Christmas tree from up top and then shop around Macy’s then we bundled up headed outside to see the windows. Hope was having fun but it’s great to see the wonder and amazement in Little Man’s eyes when he looks at the windows, he looks like Ralphie looking into Higbees window.  After looking at the windows we headed a block over to the christkindlmarket normally we love this place and thought Mimi would also love it but luck was not with u,s the market was packed and you could not get close to vendors.  We walked around or did our best to push through the crowd.  On the way out we found a few shops that were not crowded and bought some brittle.  We headed back to the car packed it all up strapped the kids in their seats and headed home.  Then, Mimi told me what a good time it was.  Mission Accomplished!

Christmas Eve was upon us, we prepared for visitors including Santa, Elf Bean’s departure and Christmas Eve church service.  We arrived at the Christmas Eve service at church with the kids.  We still love to go but we are not sure if it’s still a good idea.  The kids were filled with excitement and asking them to sit still that night is a lot to ask of them.  We stood outside the sanctuary as the congregation light the candles and sang Silent Night something we were not in store for.   After leaving church so late both kids fell asleep in the car and they did not like being woken up to go inside.  When we arrived home Mommy did her best to get Hope back to sleep again and I and Little Man started Santa prep.  We had to say good bye to Elf Bean who was dressed up as Santa for his last night in the house.  When Santa drops off gifts on Christmas Eve Elf Bean would be heading back to the North Pole with him.  We then made sure our stockings were out and got the milk and cookies.  Thanks to the cookie exchange we still had a lot of cookies to choose from; Little Man picked the peanut butter with a Hershey’s Kiss on top, an excellent choice for Santa, I think one of his favorites.  I do know that Santa’s favorite cookie is indeed a Christmas cookie.  Then we nestled in and read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” I was so tired, I could barely keep my eyes open and Little Man’s head was dancing with visions of Sugar Plums or more likely Hot Wheels.  After several warnings that Santa might pass our house he finally fell asleep and all that was left to do was our Christmas Night parent duties.  Maybe next year we stay home from Christmas Eve service.

I could not believe it when I woke up the next morning and Little Man was still dreaming, I think it may have been the start of a cold for him.  Miss Hope was up and pointing to all the presents that were left under the tree.  When Little Man finally woke up it took him a few minutes before he realized it was Christmas morning and Santa had stopped at the house.  His eyes lit up when he saw the presents under the tree and his mouth dropped with wonder as he noticed the cookies and milk were gone. 

We first started into the stockings that Santa had filled, with candy, some ornaments and small toys.  I remember as a kid on Christmas morning we were allowed to open our stockings that Santa had left on our bedroom door but we were not allowed to wake mom and dad until the sun came up.  No need to worry about Little Man waking us before the sun comes up.  The day was filled with getting ready for guests and opening up gifts.  Miss Hope loved her play phone and anything musical while Little Man was excited about the scooter, roller skates and the skateboard he got.  Little Man got his alarm clock he had been asking for with the bells on top so he could set it and wake him up for school on time.  He has the alarm and we have set it for him but he asks everyone to shut it off for him while he lies in bed.

  Christmas was wonderful and a very busy day, as I sat overlooking the Christmas mess, I noticed the empty recliner where last Christmas Grampy Rock sat.  At one point on Christmas we all had our moments where we remembered Grampy Rock. To quote Jame Jack, “Grampy was a really GOOD guy”.

After Christmas we spent the next night over at Grandma Ruth’s and Grandpa Rick’s house so they could exchange gifts.  After that, we had Christmas with Grandma Vicki, Grandpa Mike and Aunt Kaci.   We had to delay their Christmas a bit thanks to a blizzard that hit us and freezing temperatures that kept us all inside for a few days.

Between Christmas and New Years we had a warmer night that we decided to head out to Brookfield Zoo for the lights.  We decided to leave a bit early to give the kid some time to see the zoo and the animals in the daylight.  I thought for sure Little Man would want to see the zebras after wanting to be one for Halloween but no, he was on a reptile kick and wanted to see one.  We found the reptile house and Little Man soon found the reptile he wanted to see and just like that he was good.  We made our way around the zoo, we found an area with a toy train setup and I think given the choice Little Man would still be sitting there watching the trains.  The sun went down and the lights came on they were nice but a bit to spread out and random, I think Lincoln Park does a better job with the lights.  We found a children’s area, Miss Hope found an area she could play in and Little Man found a crafts area where they were making bird finger puppets and he did a great job of coloring it.  We then headed over to an area for a laser show, most of the show was on a screen and the kids were having a hard time seeing so doing what Daddy does best, I put a kid on each shoulder so they could see the show better.  I think Mommy had a better time just watching us then she did the show, I couldn’t see the kid’s faces but Mommy was smiling from ear to ear.  On the way out of the zoo we had to stop and take a picture on one of the lion statues, the kids are getting really good at posing for the pictures.  We headed out to the car only to find out that everyone else had the same idea to head to the zoo that night and the parking lot was just CRAZY.  After waiting over an hour in the parking lot (thank god for DVD players in the car) we got out only to see the line of cars waiting to get in the lot.

New Years was soon upon us and we planned our New Years Eve party with lots of food and the card game Screw Your Neighbor.  A possible snow storm and a flu making the rounds had a lot of our family and friends cancelling.  Pinterist, one of my new favorite websites gave me a few good ideas for New Years. I started by interviewing Little Man asking him several questions about His favorite things and it will be fun to see how they change over the years.  The next thing I did was filled balloons with confetti and little toys; my plan was to let him pop one every hour until New Years.  In all the revelry, we didn’t pop one every hour but close.  When a balloon was popped, it sent confetti all over. What a pain to clean up but the excitement on Little Man’s face was worth it, he also told us how much fun it was.  I think we will be doing this on New Years again but maybe with a little less confetti in the balloons.

I don’t think we would be happy celebrating the holidays unless we were busy but that might be good since I think they are only going to get busier from now on.  I hope that I have remembered all we fit into this holiday season I may have missed a few and I might have to start taking notes next year.  I have been writing this blog post for a week or so now and Christmas is packed up and Valentines decorations are up.  I’m not sure what adventures we will have in 2014 but if 2013 was any indication it’s bound to be fun.  Happy 2014 everyone.