Christmas in January

Yesterday we celebrated Christmas at my aunt’s house with a bunch of extended family members.  All the little ones get gifts to open and have a chance to play with 3rd (4th?) cousins they only see a few times a year.  Here are some observations and memories of the day:

1. Helping your toddler open gifts and trying to watch the other 5 little ones and 1 teenager open gifts is just about impossible.   And you might as well put away the camera – with all the excitement and paper flying everywhere, you won’t get a good shot.
2. The paper flying around?  It’s not from the kids.  It’s most likely from the parents of said children, all cousins of mine who are older than me, but Christmas brings out the kid in everyone!
3. Even with all the food allergies/sensitivities in the group, it’s possible to have quite a spread of yummy food.  (We’re talking nut allergy,pineapple allergy,milk allergy,glutten sensitivities,and sulfate allergies to name a few…)
4. Speaking of allergies, my husband is indeed still very allergic to cats (his feeding ours and playing with it aside…); he wheezed all the way home, despite taking allergy meds while we were there.  I guess his short jaunts in the garage with Fluffball, where he doesn’t actually touch the kitty, don’t affect him much b/c they really are short.
5. My daughter is a social butterfly.
6. My son is NOT a social butterfly.  He was much happier once I set him up in the back room with a few toys and away from the large crowd of chattering adults.
7. If someone takes the box of flavored alcohol samples “to see them better,” you’re probably not going to see that box again.  (Thanks, Hon, for getting the cupcake vodka sample for me!)
8. 16+ adults and 6 kids running around can raise the temp. in the house 10 degrees.
9. Adult men are just as interested in Nerf guns as the little boy who got one for Christmas.
10. As chaotic and crowded as the 3 bedroom, one bath house can be when we all gather to celebrate Christmas in January, it’s a treasured memory from my youth that I’m so glad my own children can share.