Christmas Season

Its right around November 15^th every year that we start seeing the “Countdown to Christmas” messages everywhere. The stores have already pulled out all the Christmas stuff and by the time we get to Thanksgiving, we’re hearing the music everywhere. I don’t think it’s a huge secret that I’m not a big fan of Christmas, I don’t like the pressure to make my house look a certain way and spend a bunch of money on stuff we don’t need. But. Mostly I try to keep my sentiments to myself. Last year, the five of us all finally officially gave up on celebrating with Santa. The youngest kid knows. We (the parents) can stop trying so hard to hide everything (we were never very good at that) and we can just be up front about the packages that keep arriving at our doorstep leading up to the big day. So that was a step towards making Christmas all around better this year.

David and the kids worked SO HARD to get everything ready. Many dozens of cookies made (thanks Eli, Shelly, David). Dishes and more dishes (thank  you Faithful Dishwasher for all your hard work!). Vacuum the living room, again and again (thanks Archer J). All the windows washed (Wow! David!!!). Laundry, more dishes, more vacuuming, dusting.

Now on to the real joy of Christmas, what we all know we’re supposed to be enjoying, but it gets lost in the stress… Family Time. Time Together.

It happened this year – we really had a chance to ENJOY each other. Nana came on Christmas Eve, along with Bampa and Grandma Shell and we had a wonderful evening together. The stories, the silliness, so many hugs for everyone. Archer snuggled up next to Nana for an hour or two while we watched a show, then everyone headed off to bed.

Then on Christmas Day, it was the Fortiers’ turn to take over the house – little by little they trickled in and the house warmed up. We were missing only 2 of the entire clan and with a group that large, I’d say that was an amazing accomplishment. To have just about everyone there was amazing. Christmas has changed so much over the years that I’ve been a part of this family. All of the grandchildren are growing up, there’s not so much screaming (with joy) and crying. Not so much of all the kids mobbing Christopher’s legs and wrestling him to the ground to pile on top of the oldest cousin. There’s more talk of dating (bleh!! I don’t wanna know!!), jobs, travelling and the BIG topic this year is who is newly driving, or about to be driving, or could be driving by now but isn’t… 

After food and presents, the kids found a game to play together and this is where I have to say, I could not have pictured this 15 years ago. I probably would not have said, “It’s great that they’re all playing video games!” We always hear about kids and “too much screen time.” But Christopher told his cousins that he wanted to spend some time with them and they ALL (that’s 9 kids aged 9 through 25) piled into the boys’ bedroom for a game on their phones/tablets/computers. They found a game that all of them could play together. Screen time, yes. FUN TIME with cousins, DEFINITELY. We had such a great time, I was sorry to kick everyone out at 9:00 because some of us had to work the next day.

I would say it was definitely one of the best Christmases yet – so much wonderful family time connecting with everyone. Thanks to all who came over, brought stuff and just hung out. And most of all, thank you to Elijah, Shelly, Archer and David for ALL of your hard work keeping the house clean and ready to entertain. My wonderful children never complained even once. Not when I  interrupted their playtime to do more chores, not when we asked Shelly to give up her room while Nana stays with us, not when I asked someone to come to the grocery store with me AGAIN. I have the most wonderful family.