Our biggest celebration is on Christmas Eve and this year we were excited to have everyone from lunchtime on.
Zach and I set out to do our food shopping early in the morning before the kids got home from their mom’s. From a young age this was the only grocery shopping he loved doing:)
We had a chill afternoon and watched “Love Actually” – one of my favorite Christmas movies. The kids watched a bunch more shows (As did my Mom and sis – but different ones!), and Rob and I went for a walk.
Christmas Eve always starts with a program: a Christmas carole, a couple of stories and the Christmas alphabet that Zach and Zandra made when they were 8:)
The kids always act out the nativity while I read a very detailed version of the story. They take on their specific roles every year. Some years go better than others; no fighting this year though. Yah!
Rob then reads his Christmas poem (which I’ll post separately).
The kids all head to their rooms to wait to hear the bell ring which signals all the presents are now under the tree and it’s safe to come down (a tradition passed down by my German grandparents – except with them it was the first time we saw the tree too!)
The kids usually race down. I think they think they are too cool for that now, so they trickled down:
Presents:
I forgot to take a pic of everyone eating:( But we had our crazy Christmas Eve buffet):
Christmas morning is pretty quick since all the gifts to each other were given the night before, so just stocking and a few Santa gifts.
We then have cinnamon buns, chocolate milk and wifesaver for breakfast before the kids scoot off to their other parents (usual routine for Zach and Josh, changes depending on year and agreements for other kids).
Have to admit, Christmas Day is my least favorite day of the year (I think I use the word “hate” to describe it. I’m sure other divorced moms can understand….it’s the one time of year that the divorce reveals its hold on you forever. It’s also not something other people understand).
This year Rob and I went out to visit his Mom too, but she wasn’t too crazy about a visit (we saw her the week before with the kids and that was better). We headed home and watched some movies – which is how I like spending Christmas Night!
A successful Christmas 2018 – last one for a long while with everyone together! We will have to start creating new traditions!!
Boxing Day is tomorrow and Rob and I look forward to our own little couple traditions. The kids are all back this year for the weekend and into New Years so we are certainly looking forward to that!!
