Hard to believe that Christmas is just over two weeks away. Like everyone, we're in a frenzy of holiday preparations. The kids still have two weeks of school before the break and it's business as usual with all of their activities. However, despite the frantic pace we do have some fun things planned to enjoy the season. Some have already happened and some are hovering on the horizon.
N's chorus had two concerts last week. The first was a performance with Christmas with the Celts at our local performing arts center. The second was a holiday concert with an adult choir and a bell choir from a neighboring town. Both performances were an outstanding kick off to this month of celebrating.
Our school had a float in the annual Christmas parade this weekend. A rode on the float dressed as an angel. She smiled, waved, and sang the entire parade route. Hubby and I walked the parade behind the float, while J participated in the float of one of the local Little Leagues. N missed the parade in order to participate with some of the other school kids in a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat at the local playhouse. They sang two songs as the chorus in the production, participating in five shows over four days.
This week, I'm hoping to get to my holiday baking. I usually bake an assortment of goodies to share with friends and family. I also need to finish up my gift buying, which is nearly complete. Friday night A has a performance with the baton team in the Christmas show the dance school puts on. Saturday we're going over to Busch Gardens for Christmas Town with some of my family and some of my brother's work friends. They're supposed to have light displays, special Christmas shows, visits with Santa, and some of the roller coasters will be running. The kids are really looking forward to it. On tap for Sunday is dinner with Coach C. He's coming to the house and I'm going to cook a Chinese feast. I'm hoping it turns out well since I'm just starting to delve into Asian cooking. We also have some Hanukkah gifts for Coach C and it will be nice to spend some time with him, visiting and catching up.
Next week will be a busy one since our annual school Christmas pageant takes place late in the week. It's my favorite holiday activity and the true kick off for Christmas in our family. This year N will perform in the choir and A will be a first grade angel, one of my favorite parts of the pageant. I'll for sure be keeping a tissue handy because I cry every year at this beautiful telling of the Christmas story.
After that, the kids will be out of school for two weeks. We don't travel anywhere for Christmas. Most of my family is right here, as is hubby's mom. We'll host the annual Christmas Eve get together for the family, complete with new pajamas for the entire family. The pajamas are a tradition started back when my brother and I were kids that continues to this day. Kids and adults alike all have new pajamas to sleep in on Christmas Eve. I'll take the kids to Christmas Eve mass in the afternoon. My mom and I will return to church for the midnight service as well. Christmas Day begins at our house as soon as the kids are awake, which will be early. You'd think A, being the youngest, would be the first one up. However, J is without fail always the first one awake, wakes up his siblings, and calls the rest of the family so they can get here in a hurry. Everyone will gather to open stockings and gifts from us. Then we'll move onto to either my mom's or my aunt's to open gifts there and have breakfast. The gift opening will conclude at the third house where we'll have Christmas dinner.
Whatever your holiday traditions are, I hope the season is filled with much love and joy for you and your loved ones. Remember to slow down long enough to enjoy the traditions and celebrations unique to your family, and to count the blessings in your life.
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