Christmastime at Home
The most wonderful time of the year
The time leading up to Christmas is such a busy, bustling, fun time. I just love having everyone home, the house bursting at the seams, and everyone helping out together. There’s baking, decorating, wrapping, and shopping still to be done. As the kids get older, they pitch in more and more and it’s a joy working together. There are also 3 meals for 12 to make every day, which is a challenge but worth it when the kids do all the dishes, and I can just relax with a glass of wine and bask in my beautiful family. Everyone was glad to take a turn with the favorite job of holding baby Joan, of course. Every morning when she woke up, we were greeted with a delightful, smiling, chubby baby. The best!
We have a tradition of going downtown a couple days before Christmas to visit the Art Institute and see the Neapolitan creche and then walk over to the University Club for a fancy candlelight dinner. Everyone gets dressed up and it’s magical. Brian was sick but managed to pull himself together and go so I wouldn’t be disappointed, knowing this was probably our last time. Next year, Christmas in Rome!
Another tradition is that we go to our parish’s “Midnight” Mass which is actually at 10 pm (thank goodness). Mass begins in a dark church with just a few lit Christmas trees, while the choir sings quiet carols. Then the lights all come on and the organ and brass kick in and we belt out “O Come All Ye Faithful” for the processional. Mass was beautiful and walking home in the cold, snowy night, we always look for Santa’s sleigh. Libby slept through Mass so she was ready to hang stockings and open sibling Kris Kringle exchange gifts. Everyone opens one gift while we have a glass of champagne, and then it’s off to bed for the littles while mom and dad finish prep, with the help of some older elves.
Christmas morning is relaxed and easy … we force the littles to stay in bed and not come downstairs until 8:30. Then all the cooking and baking of the days before pays off as we sit down to a delicious brunch of quiche and orange and cinnamon rolls, and many many cups of coffee.
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After opening stockings, brunch, and a long session of opening presents (we have to have halftime and refuel with more brunch!), everyone spreads out and settles down with their new toys and books. Then it’s nap time for all!
For Christmas dinner, we make everyone get dressed up again. We do a huge rib roast and play lots of games all night. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
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The rest of the week was a blur of more games and delicious meals. We all walked over to Lilacia Park one night to see the lights but it was raining… so that didn’t last long. And we had to grab a photo of Yaya and Papa with their first great-grandchild!
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