A first for our family this season was attending a complimentary presentation of the second act of Nutcracker. While most of us enjoyed the music and dancing, Nicholas was disappointed that the battle scene was not included in this performance. All of the boys agreed they would never become ballet dancers, primarily because of the tight, white pants worn by the men. Despite being different from what the kids were expecting, we all appreciated the free act given for students.
A couple of days later, we watched Nutcracker, the Motion Picture. The boys endured the entire show, but are yet to be fans. This movie will not be one our family watches each December. Nicholas, however, still enjoys collecting nutcrackers and sees a difference between the figures and the ballet.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day had a few firsts in 2010. For the past several years, we have celebrated the big day on the 24th, concluding it with the Christmas Eve service at church and a movie at home. The 25th was a day to travel to South Carolina and celebrate with both grandparents. This year, for the first time in thirteen years (with the exception of the Christmas just days before Nicholas was born), we stayed at home.
On Christmas Eve, we ate our traditional Christmas meal for lunch before giving the boys early gifts of pajamas and a Wii game. We played all afternoon until it was time to go to the Christmas Eve service at church. Once back home, the boys went to bed uncharacteristically early with no complaining or procrastinating.
On Christmas Day, the boys were up bright and early at 6am. Brandon and Nicholas had been awake on and off throughout the night due to extreme excitement. That day was much like past Christmases, full of fun and merriment together. Zachary loved his new Ripstik, Nicholas was excited to add more Galactic Hero toys to his collection, and Brandon was thrilled to get both the Star Wars Lego ship and the Wii game he had asked for. Since we did not have to get dressed up and ready for a church service like past years, we stayed in pajamas all day and enjoyed many hours of play.
Unlike any other year of our lives, 2010 gave us a white Christmas! The snow started falling on the 25th soon after darkness arrived. We woke up the next morning to six inches of snow on the ground and two more that continued to fall throughout the day. Instead of traveling as planned, we spent the day sledding, making a snowman, and playing with new toys.
Our celebrations with family in South Carolina were delayed, yet still fun and memorable. Zachary, now being in second grade and able perform the task, eagerly read the story of Jesus’ birth from the Bible for his first time. Also, the trumpet was added by Ryan to the cousins’ time of singing together. Even with just a couple of days in town, we enjoyed and appreciated the time spent with grandparents, great grandparents, siblings, and cousins.
Both the month and year concluded last night with the five of us home together playing games, working on puzzles, watching a movie, and cheering on the Gamecocks in their bowl game. The five of us stayed up and watched the ball drop in Times Square as 2011 began. I remember past New Year’s Eve celebrations that included special times as a couple or lots of laughing and merry making with friends. As fun as those times were, I think I will look back on welcoming in new years with my family as the ones I cherish the most. I have a feeling these won’t last forever.
“…glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen…” Luke 2:20
1 comment:
I was wondering if you guys were able to travel because of the snow! Looks like your family had a lot fun even with the change of plans..no surprise there:) you guys always seem to be doing something fun. Happy New Year!
Post a Comment