Post-Christmas

Notes from Christmas, before I forget:

• They're still so young, so excited about presents and Christmas morning--it's a joy to wake up to that kind of joy;
• Regardless of how "simple" we say we are going to make Christmas, we don't;
• I love the sprawl of toys on the floor, the boxes and piles of new things, each in his or her own corner--even two days later, it made me happy to go downstairs to see all of it about (I missed the after-glow of Christmas yesterday, staying in bed asleep the whole day), especially because I know that sooner than I'd like, there won't be toys for Christmas anymore;
• I like that they're obsessed with Legos, AG, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Doctor Who--let them be young a little longer--what child needs to worship at the altar of fashion and 1D and scream at twentysomething boy toys?  There's time enough for that later--and that's fine, I did it for Wham!  and Culture Club and Duran Duran--but let it wait at least until they're double digits.  If that means they're nerdy, so be it (more than that, yay!);
• Sis got a rock tumbler and she's thrilled--I love it (see above)!
• I can honestly say, perhaps for one of the first times, that getting gifts myself wasn't nearly as interesting as watching the kids get theirs--not that I didn't get some good ones, just that the kids were just that much more fun . . . .
• Especially when they opened ones from each other, when they'd throw themselves at the other in a hug full of laughter.  They always choose for each other best;
• But I did wonder at times what in fact we were celebrating with all of that stuff;
• Though, I was thrilled to have genuinely surprised Mama with two antique cameras from the early 20th century;
• I don't think there was any candy . . . stockings are less important that when I was a kid;
• They didn't talk about Santa as much this year, even though he'd left notes, gotten his own glass of nog, and used his own special wrapping paper--I think they "know" but don't want to relinquish the magic;
• I can't talk about the meal, not now, maybe not ever, which is too bad, though I will say that nuts seem to be an appetizer that can be reliably and successfully served to my in laws.