Hanukkah and Christmas were actually very close together this year, so the kids had presents up the wazoo! We had three nights of Hanukkah before heading to Midland for Christmas. For Hanukkah, we had a party at Gerry's house with my mom and the Pelig's (Gerry's daughter and family). The kids got along great and we had my favorite meal...bagels and lox among other things, and of course the kids were spoiled rotten with presents. The highlight was the huge Barbie playhouse which Jason swore at a number of times while putting it together, but in the end, it looked great and the kids love it! Most of things I got for Sydney were Barbie's, but it's what she wanted and I didn't go crazy because I knew Christmas was right around the corner and not every kid gets to celebrate both holidays, so they are a little spoiled. Lizzy was content with whatever we gave her; which consisted of a couple princess toys, a barbie, a barbie cell phone...nothing major! Sydney, on the other hand, needs to be taught a lesson! She can be very ungrateful at times and it makes me so upset. If she should get a book or clothes, she's not happy and throws a fit. So we had to have that whole conversation about how some people don't get anything and she should be lucky to get anything let alone celebrate two holidays. So, the next opportunity I get, I am going to take her some where to volunteer or donate some of her things so she can see where they are going and how good it feels to do something nice for others. I'm just not exactly sure where to go or what to do so that it has an impact, but when I figure it out, we are definitely going!
The kids could hardly wait to get to Midland for Christmas. There were so many presents under the tree! We had to huge meals; one on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas day...I promise you we were not lacking in the food department. I think I'm still full 3 days later, and as much as I love junk, it doesn't even sound good right now! The only thing I don't like about Christmas is that Santa gets all of the credit...no fair! So Jason and I had to stay up late wrapping presents and buying Sydney a fish (she just HAD to have a fish)...and we can't even tell her that we bought it! But we all made out very well. Jason bought me a new Mac Book Pro which I'm typing on as we speak, and I also got a Kindle Fire, new boots, cool dishes, a cupcake maker, jewelry, gift cards, money...I'm not complaining one bit!! The kids got toys, toys, and more toys...too many to even list. But Lizzy's absolute favorite (which I have to give credit to Jason for), were these miniature princess figurines. He bought (or should I say Santa?) three different sets...Cinderella, Arielle, and then just a set of the typical princesses. She has literally been playing with them all day, every day. She lines them up everywhere and has the longest attention span. She even puts them in her bed when we aren't looking...she is borderline obsessed!! She is definitely one happy kid!
Sydney and Lizzy had so much fun playing with their cousins, that she didn't want to come home. So when we left on Monday, we left Sydney there! She just loves playing with the "big kids". I'm not sure when she's coming home, but I'm sure we'll have to go get her eventually. But for now, she's livin' the life, getting spoiled rotten (just what she needs).
It always feels like such a let down after the holidays are over. I always have the whole week off of Christmas and then go back after New Year's and it's the LONGEST stretch of time without a holiday. I'm so bad at just enjoying my days off, but I can't help thinking about going back to work...but I will try and enjoy these last few days, because I must admit, it feels pretty darn good to just sit and relax...even if I am just sitting in a hospital room watching my mom sleep (no worries, she's fine...just had her ovaries out and everything looks good). (And on a side note...if I ever have to be admitted to the hospital...I would like to request Henry Ford West Bloomfield...I feel like I'm in a hotel and I even went shopping...who, other than me, takes their mom to the hospital and comes back with more than they came with?)
Anyway...here's to a happy and healthy new year!! When's the next holiday....?
