Christmas

Our holiday was defined by sickness this year, but thankfully it was the mildest version possible. And of any holiday season, this was the best one because we weren't traveling and no one was staying with us.

The first day of break found the kids and I at our annual holiday breakfast with the Marshalls. Halfway through the morning, Ruby came and sat on my lap. She still ate, but wanted to be close to me. This was an obvious giveaway that something was on the horizon since she had three of her favorite older friends there, two of them vying for her attention, yet she still wanted me. But nothing showed up until late that night.

Two or three fevers over the next few days (always gone with one dose of medicine, not to return for 24+ hours), and general fatigue were the only symptoms. I already had a well visit set up for Ruby for the day after Christmas, so while we were there, they checked her out for flu and strep. The flu test came back positive, which shocked me given the lack of 'big' sickness she'd been showing. Lots of naps and breathing treatments (to make sure nothing developed in her lungs) and LOTS of snuggles and movies got us through the two weeks and she returned to school, good as new, on schedule.

Back to our holiday week: Christmas Eve was a beautiful day with warm temperatures, so after breakfast I dragged the family to a nearby trail on the river for a walk. We pushed Ruby most of the way, but when she saw a friend and their new dog, she was out of the stroller and running.

We did sibling gift exchange around lunch and Ruby rallied a little to ride in her Cars car, which Eli had souped up with a new (faster!) battery.

Ruby also spent some time in her new reading 'teepee' that Maddux picked out for her. She was SO excited to see the windows and the doors. Maddux even stocked the book pockets before the big reveal.

We did not make it to Christmas Eve service though: I didn't want to chance it with her having a fever late the night before. We did go for our annual Christmas Eve sushi though, and we drove to see some holiday lights too.

Christmas Day was another beautiful one, but we still used the fireplace (that is just a 'must' for Christmas!). We exchanged gifts in the morning and also did the scavenger hunt for baby Jesus. This is something I usually plan, but Maddux asked to come up with the clues and 'hide' Him this year. I was definitely on-board with that!

We did our annual Christm-Olympics after lunch. This year Maddux asked to be the one in charge of that as well. For a week or so beforehand, she researched games and came up with the plan...I was so impressed and it was a huge help to me! Ruby did great with the games, participating in all of them, after a lunch-time nap.

We finished our night with homemade pasta and sauce and meatballs, and the birthday cake for Jesus. It was a very laid-back, not rushed year, and I loved it.

My favorite part is always the extra 'together time'. We made orange juice and Christmas cookies and pasta and meatballs and gingerbread houses. All of those times, even though each one is short, force us to be together in the kitchen: arguing, laughing and everything in-between.