Well, at least Chad and Bay were singin' their hearts out (image to be revealed later), but all of our hearts were singing to the tune of rest and relaxation, as this was not only a much-needed break from the rat-race of this particular school year, but also the first ever Christmas when we were at home. Chad's holiday tourney schedule did not permit travel for the actual holiday, and so, unfortunately, we had to trouble the entire Cluver clan to celebrate Christmas 10 days early. The silver lining is that on the 25th, once our kiddos opened their holiday gifts, they were able to stay in jammies all day and just play . . . and eat, and then, play some more. First, let's back up a bit to early December, when . . .
. . . we got a terrific snowfall . . .
. . . and the kids had a ball!
As did Bogey. (Okay, so she looks old and cold and tired, but she did a small bit of scampering.)
The brothers doing some serious fort-building:
This is what became a 5-foot tall snowman.
Unfortunately, the week before Christmas, we had a couple of days of snow-melting temps,
and this was all that was left of our side-yard friend. A close friend of mine thought it prophetic
that he wore swimming goggles.
Then, we had the arctic freeze; so, while it no longer looked like Christmas, it felt like January -- Brrrr! Sadly, all the early-season illness continued to sweep through our house, and Jameson missed his 5th grade music concert at school. Bay was clearly rarin' to go!
(And pleased that her mama gave in and invited an Elf on the Shelf to our home this season.)
He was healed up and ready to go a few days later for their formal holiday breakfast at school.
Our early Christmas in Watseka with Chad's parents, sibs, sibs-in-law, and nieces/nephews:
"Sickies" -- Bay and Cousin Lilah were quarantined after an evening of tummy upsets.
Ah. And then, the 25th arrived and all four kiddos were healthy.
Brunch of egg casserole, fresh fruit salad, decaf lattes, annnd, that's right, bacon-chocolate-chip waffles.
Then, while everyone scampered off to play with their new gifts, I took about 20 minutes of "Sherry time" to roam the home with my camera and see things through that focused lens. It always slows me down, and as a consequence, helps me to see what's right in front of me (some of which has been for a long time) for which I need to be grateful. First, I had great fun picking up this little canvas for Anna, as she's my city girl and we both LOVE Chicago (and Pittsburgh)! The pillow delights me, first, because Anna likes this lovely song, and second, because Baylor picked it out for her sister way back in the summer from a new, shabby-chic boutique just 1 1/2 blocks up our street. (Sister knowing sister -- an awesome thing!)
Our family room tree -- mostly hunting/fishing lodge theme to reflect Chad's interests and indulged by me over the years of ornament-collecting. It also holds, strangely enough, my very different fascination with the White House . . .
as a dear friend spoils me yearly with the newest of the official W.H. ornaments (which I cherish).
This is the 2013 addition dedicated to the presidency of Woodrow Wilson.
(Doves of peace, olive branches..)
My favorite new holiday decoration. It made me smile so much when I saw it at the store -- that childlike wonder of the holiday...after passing by it several times, I finally took the plunge and bought it, and I've enjoyed seeing it every day of this season!
The kids' tree in the living room that Chad and I bought the first winter we were married -- almost 20 years ago -- at Wal-mart for 40-or-50-some dollars. We still love it; so, when the base finally cracked and the tree toppled, we went to quick work with an over-sized flower pot and concrete to save this fav faux pine!
A few of my very favorite of their ornaments include this micro-sized infant sleeper on a mini hanger
that I bought Bay-Bay when she was a toddler.
And this Haitian ornament fashioned out of recycled oil barrels, as is all of the famous Haitian metal work.
The whole sugar plums thing is imagery that continues to delight me; hence, my fav gingerbread house shown several pics above, and these 2' trees that we've put in the kids' rooms every one of the past 9 years.
Oh, and THE carolers...that my mama painted in ceramics class back when I was in kindergarten (or that age-ish) and that were standard decor in our Finch house every year of my life from that point forward. Mom was cleaning out some things (big surprise; note my sarcasm), and she wanted to know if anyone wanted these. I said "YES!!!" And I even asked if my sis' and brother were interested before ferreting them to my corner (unlike our children's books, small rocking chair, and baby cradle; I've since apologized for that teenage gluttony). Anyway, the caroler on the right has always been (in my mind) my sister and my mom -- morphed into one person. I don't know who the heck the other two are; just some random peeps.
(Yes, standing next to what appears to them the world's largest wine bottle, ice bucket, and cork screw.)
After some pizza in the evening, it was time to assemble the 3-year-old kit of mini gingerbread houses about which I'd forgotten in the pantry for several years. All children warned -- do NOT eat or lick this stuff!
Hunter's creation...
I thought Jameson's home was particularly cute.
This is what the boys did with most (but not all) of their chill time. (They also assembled some Lego's.)
Bay did lots of this -- the any-table-top ping-pong kit courtesy of Jameson to Bay.
As promised, Daddy C putting on the concert with Baby Bay. After this tune, the duo took on "Gangnam Style," which summoned even the boys to put down their Xbox controllers to come see this spectacle. I'm quite sure that if two American boys found this attempt hilarious, I'm betting that Koreans would be completely splitting their sides.
Good humor on a day of jammies was a welcome treat and retreat.
