How five days off can seem like one day.

We visited my alma mater on Wednesday. Rather, my best friend and I sat in a condo on the outskirts of my alma mater for half the day, scolding/chasing/soothing our four children while intermittently catching up on events since our last chaotic get-together. And she’s going to bring another kid into the mix?!?! What happened to dinner and drinks?

Thanksgiving. Visiting with the in-laws. Allergic reaction emergency. Stopping at parents for medication and to put up half of their Christmas Tree. Visiting with the extended family. Thinking, why do we, on holidays, get the girls all dolled up, take the Beans to an unfamiliar home and subject them to [well-meaning] strangers who coo and fawn and beg to hold them when clearly it’s the last place they want to be? The end result of every family get-together is us carrying our limp and defeated little Beans up to their safe crib and then falling into a pile on the couch, wondering why we left the house in the first place.

Black Friday. Or rather, “Yeah, right Friday.” I don’t love anyone enough to stand in a line at Target that is wrapped around the perimeter of the store. Nor do I need that twenty dollars I would have saved had I waited three hours. The bonus was that I got to sneak out for a bagel and coffee while J manned the fort. Later that day, we braved the crowds for lunch with Gramma M and a little sale at the Baby Gap. Later that evening, after the Beans were in bed, J and I put up the tree. The Sixth Annual Christmas Decorating Extravaganza was likely the last one we’d spend alone for the next twenty or so years. We passed out on the couch watching Home Alone. A success!

On Saturday, Gramma M. had a little post-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Dinner for our wee little family, since we missed out on Gram’s Dressing (my paternal grandmother’s recipe – the grandmother that M is named after). We purchased half the lights available at Target and scoured the internets for instructions on how to hang outdoor Christmas lights. Yes, you read it correctly. Remember, this is a couple who refused to move into any home with such incentives as, “A cozy fixer-upper!” or “Just waiting for your personal touch!”

Sunday, bloody Sunday. Well, we put the lights up. In light of the fact that the event did not result in threats of divorce or more than one injury (and really, it is just a little bruise, who are we kidding?), I’d say that it was a success. And it was confirmed with a resounding “Wow!” by both Beans when we showed off our handiwork later that evening. After the lights but before the light show, we took the girls to Borders and B&N to grab a magazine (J), a book (M&A) and a coffee (MB). Let me just tell you, M may be the shyest of the two when it comes to relatives, but she was all “How’s Your Day?” when we were at the bookstore! She practiced her more graceful walking all over the store, befriended a little boy who was making a Christmas list and passed up a little whipped cream for the lady with the big red bag. As evening crept in and the Beans were in bed, I surveyed the house for signs that things were accomplished on my vacation. I concluded that it was a wonderful five days but wondered if I was being a little selfish if I lobbied for a sixth day off to rest.

 

 

 

 

The One Where Bert and Ernie Made Me Cry.



It's the eve before the beginning of Christmas Season. We mark this celebration with a feast of turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving is just the meal the fuels me for the weeks to come. On Friday, we will put up the Christmas tree and cross our fingers that it doesn't come crashing to the floor once in the next several weeks. I've almost convinced myself that there won't be an incident, despite the fact that said tree will stir much curiosity amongst the Beans. I'll also begin Christmas shopping this weekend. I'll coax J into putting up Christmas lights. I pull out my favorite Christmas movies and put them on rotation for the next month. J is worried that I'll get worse now that the Beans are here. Last year I didn't have the time or the energy to dive into the season, as the girls were only three months old, I was just back to work and we had just moved into our home.

Yesterday, I caught A Sesame Street Christmas Carol with the Beans at my parents' house. I was preoccupied with the latest People Magazine, but A began chanting fervently when Rubber Ducky came on the television screen, "Duck! Duck! Duck!" I started watching with them.

It was the part where Bert and Ernie each think of the perfect gift to get their roommate. Bert decides to get a soap dish for Ernie to leave his beloved Rubber Ducky. Ernie is determined to get a cigar box where Bert can safely keep his prized paper clips. Both of them go to Mr. Hooper's to get the gifts, first Ernie, then Bert. Neither of them have any money, but they want to get just the right thing for the other, so both of them part with their most prized possession. Bert trades his paper clips for the soap dish and Ernie trades Rubber Ducky for the cigar box.

It is actually possible to see the range of emotions on their faces. Really! My eyes began to well up when they exchange gifts and realize what the other had sacrificed to bring joy to his friend. In the end, Mr. Hooper visits, bringing gifts for Bert and Ernie. You guessed it. He was so touched by their act of friendship and sacrifice that he brought them their things.

How sweet was that?! We could all learn something from the original AGD!

Halloween Part Deux

As I predicted, the girls were not having it. They were cranky from the time I put them into their costumes until I finally released them from the wretched things. When we got home from G&G's house, I put them in their costumes and commenced the punkin carving. There was an unsuccessful attempt at an Elmo and a success with the bats (for Jack). Because of their sour moods, I decided against taking them around the neighborhood and that they would just have to be satisfied with the grandparents bringing them treats.

Since it was our first year in the house during Halloween, I was unsure of the turnout in the neighborhood. I wasn't surprised though to notice that there were barely any children out trick-or-treating and the children that were out were of the teenaged variety. The plus is that we did get to meet our neighbor Kelly and her adorable little 16 month old Natalie, who was a ladybug. After they left, J looked at me and asked, "Are the girls going to be walking like that in two months??" He had fear in his eyes. So, anyway, where are all the children? Do they go to parties? Are they at the mall? Was my candy not good enough??

The highlight of the night was the sweet (or weird? you decide...) dad dressed up, tights included, as Superman, and escorting his little girl and son around the block. He came in a near second to Natalie's snazzy tulle.

M&A are glad this holiday is over and hope you enjoy their misery.