Saying Goodbye To Christmas

The mantle is now empty. Where once the stockings hung for nearly a month, there now sits a few candles I found on sale at Kohls last year.

It's hardly believable that all those decorations fit into this tiny room. On one hand it feels nice to be able to reclaim our living space back. On the other hand though there's an emptiness. It's as if we packed all the joy that is Christmas into twelve Rubbermaid containers; the same containers that will sit undisturbed for an entire year in our storage room until the children remind us it's once again time to put up a tree.

As I sit on my couch tonight I can't help but reminisce about the fantastic week that I have had with my children. It feels as though we've had a month together.

I couldn't wait to pick them up from school to begin their Christmas vacation. They were both so excited. We began Christmas Eve morning at the local Perkins enjoying breakfast.

Christmas Eve night is traditionally spent at my Moms house. Aunt Debbie made a lasagna fit for a king. The children enjoyed opening their stockings. And we all ran outside to see Santa pass by on the fire truck.

Once we returned home, I brought the boys outside to sprinkle reindeer food on our front lawn (a mixture of oatmeal and glitter). Before long they were both fast asleep.

Santa's arrival brought an abundance of toys and gifts for all. The children had a hard time deciding just what toys to play with that day. The grandparents joined us for a gift exchange and dinner that night.

The rest of the week was filled with this, that and the other things (to put it mildly). Hubby spent time with the boys building their new Lego sets; time he generally doesn't have during a regular work week. We spent every waking moment with our boys. It truly has been special.

New Years Eve was spent in our Living Room. While we watched our 6 year old curl up and fall asleep on the recliner, our rambunctious 4 year old gave it hell and made it right into 2010 without incident. Mom and Hubby kissed and were finally glad to be heading to bed.

The last day of vacation will be spent getting ready for tomorrow. Digging out the book bags, lunch boxes and school clothes. Not to worry, everything will come to a halt by 4pm. It is then that the Philadelphia Eagles will be taking on the Dallas Cowboys.......Go Eagles!

I have enjoyed the many blessings that have come my way in 2009. Saying goodbye to Christmas is never an easy task. I look forward to the New Year and all it has in store.