Also, there were presents.
Santa was generous (an instant camera for Elizabeth, a hair-styling mannequin head for Suzanne). The family-bought gifts were well received. Our family back East were very thoughtful in what they sent (including, a few days before Christmas, the annual arrival of the wonderful cookies from Barb's Aunt Mary Ann.)
Christmas Eve dinner we shared with Pat Gaughan and his girlfriend, Karen. Christmas dinner was with Brian and Teresa and Riley, later joined by the Wheeler-Kays. It was a really great time, but it's not all magic. Barb did a ton of work prepping, and cooking, and baking, and doing dishes. I contributed where I could, but it was mostly her. She makes the magic happen.
If there was a downside, it was Suzanne's mannequin head, which attaches by a clamp to the edge of a table or counter. As Suzanne moved it about the house, we all were regularly startled to catch out of the corner of our eye this dark-haired stranger in our house. A little creepy, but we're already getting used to it.
The revelation this year for me was to reign in my impulse to go overboard with gifts. Although Barb and I had agreed we were done shopping, I had my typical anxiety that it wasn't enough. So I bought the girls each a simple remote control car. Elizabeth was clearly puzzled by the gift when she unwrapped it. It's too young for her. Suzanne was excited upon opening it, but upon playing with it, was less than thrilled. I'll return Elizabeth's, which is still in the box.
As Barb has been telling me for years, it's not about the presents, it's about the experience.
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| Suzanne with her stocking, way too early in the morning. |
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| Ibid. |
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| Suzanne opening her big present -- a memory foam mattress topper. Suzanne is very into memory foam. |
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| Elizabeth was thrilled to receive her t-shirt for the Muppet band "Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem." See below for a glimpse of the shirt. |
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| More presents! And more presents! |
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| This is the day after Christmas, but is notable for showing five kids playing the Xbox at one time. I didn't think that was possible. Suzanne is holding one of her gifts, which is a Minecraft-themed Xbox controller. She was thrilled to get it, as it sets her apart from the hoi-polloi. |
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| And here is Barb enjoying a moment of peace in her beautiful house the day after Christmas. |
