I know it's not what everyone writes when they describe their Christmas…..but i am exhausted! I'm pretty sure i repeated the phrase ‘i think i can, i think i can' up until midnight on Christmas eve!I like to think i am Miss Organised but this year it just didn't seem to happen…could twin toddlers and a teen have anything to do with it? Please tell me i am not the only parent who feels this way!!Don't get me wrong….i enjoyed Christmas day and watching the joy and wonder on all 3 girls faces but i was really very nearly over it before it even began and i am sad that i felt this way.
Next year i vow that things will be very different….i won't stress myself trying to be the perfect hostess as family members come to stay ( i think i cleaned the house top to bottom the whole shebang 3-4 times in a two week period!)I don't need to provide a gourmet home cooked meal every night after running around after children all day…the bathrooms don't need to be spotless every day and i don't ‘need' to cook and prepare so much for Christmas Day lunch! I really need to find a way to knock this perfectionist trait in myself on the head as it left me stressed and tired and if i am to be honest resenting Christmas just a little bit. I know…awful isn't it? But i am just being honest as that is how we learn to do things differently! Am i the only parent who feels this way at this time of year…i have to wonder after reading of such joy and happiness on others blogs!
We have also learnt that if toys need putting together we don't leave it till Christmas eve to do it! Oh my goodness, does anything have comprehensive instructions with actual phrases anymore? His patient self nearly lost his mind i think!! We had decided this year to focus on outside family gifts that can be enjoyed for many years to come as we are very fortunate to have the space and i like to encourage outdoor play! However…..they did take a lot of work to get assembled and would you believe the neighbour decided to knock his fence down and rebuild just the day after Christmas so we are unable to go up and play safely now until the work is done as it leaves half of the yard unfenced…. hmmm….disappointing…especially for his patient self who really wanted to enjoy some time with the girls up there after all the effort and love put into assembly!
I sound a little bah humbug i suppose but I'm not really, just had the realisation that although i thought we were simplifying Christmas this year we didn't even come close and i want to learn from that for next year. I wonder if there were any lessons you have taken away this festive season?
We still created many happy memories and it was the first year that the toddler twosome actually had an inkling that this time of year is magical for some reason….i think they have been most disappointed with the mornings since!! It was also special because Miss Teen was with us for Christmas this year rather than a plane trip away at her Dad's (the legacy of divorce unfortunately). I really enjoyed watching her on Christmas day with her younger sisters as she has been an only child for most of her life…i was very proud.
Unfortunately i didn't get many pics of the day as i was rushing around so much but these are some of the ones special to me……
Ruby has been taking this mower everywhere with her!
Me first…follow me (chalk in Tara's hand goes everywhere with her when outside)!
Tara's first discovery Christmas morning!
Can you open this Sis…my first tea set!
Santa sack wonder and discovery!
Cheapo musical wands that turned into the best present ever!
Holding a gift for me brought from her first paycheck…so proud…but when did she get so mature??
That tickles…but do it again!
Assessing their booty…Tara's favourite is a dustpan and brush….i knew my little ‘cleaner' would love it!
Sister trampoline fun….Ruby not quite ready to participate as yet!
The swing set was a huge hit but again showed the differences in personalities between the toddler twosome….it really is becoming fascinating to watch, especially for someone trained in early childhood development. Ruby is our cautious girl who takes things very slowly…see how she has chosen to sit on the carriage swing? She felt safe like this and is now happy to be pushed in this position although it took awhile!
Tara on the other hand is our daredevil and she wanted to be helped up onto every swing no matter the risk!
Ruby sat on the bottom of the slide and went down……while Tara climbed up and was nearly down before we realised and had a subsequent heart attack!
She also got up straight away onto the carriage swing and they now sit with Ruby on the bottom and Tara on the top…so cute but haven't caught them with a camera as yet!I really do wonder how they will interact and grow as they get older despite their differences….i am constantly in awe!
It was a day of smiles, laughter, good food, family and fatigue but i cherish every moment of it…even if i promise to do things differently next year……I'm looking forward to the year ahead, it feels like a new start for our little family and i am happy to be able to write and reflect upon it!
Thanks for joining me…i appreciate you stopping by! I hope you had a lovely Christmas…..
Jode
I have my tired days, too; everybody does, I think.
Remember–blogs are just snippets (nobody is perfect). You are double blessed and double busy with your beautiful twins, Jode… and you are doing great.
Love the pictures. Happy New Year–you will be in the new year well before I am! :o)
As you saw on my blog, you certainly weren’t the only exhausted parent! I love the girls Christmas dresses. So sweet. Looks like all your effort paid off, and everyone had a wonderful day.
You are so right Julie…i need to remember that about blogs i think…beginning to feel better now that life is getting back to it’s ‘normal’ pace! Happy New Year to you too…i forget we reach many events before the rest of the world!
Thanks for dropping by Caitlin…hope the pace is slowing for you a little now…you’re right, it was a wonderful day in the end and i loved how the dresses turned out…thanks again for taking the time to comment!