Happy Post-Christmas!
Our first year with Jack at Christmas was quite the success. Oh, there was a lot of work to be done and there were definite challenges to getting all of the usual Christmas prep done with a new child underfoot, but we managed–with the help of Grandma, and auntie Heather, and Margaret’s co-workers more than happy to have him around at work for part of a day.
On Xmas eve we had our traditional gathering of family and friends for a big meal and soe presents. Roast beef, ham, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and loads more were spread out for feasting. Jack’s uncle Tim (one of my brothers) got to meet Jack for the first time, which was nice. The child himself was passed around like nothing I’ve seen since my college days. A good time had by all and Jack made out like a bandit.
Raccoon outfit from uncle Andrew (my other brother)
Then Xmas day with the three of us and grandma and auntie Karen. Jack made out like a bandit.
Then Boxing Day with just the three of us. Jack made out like a bandit.
Okay, it was mostly clothes and a few toys, but still. For the one year in which the kid really had no idea what the heck was going on, he did pretty well. I’m not going to go into all of the gory details of who got what (although I, too, made out like a bandit), but I will share a few little things that I thought were particularly neat as Jack’s dad…
Eric Sturtevant does some great illustrations. We have a few piece of his now with this being the latest. If there is any message we want to get through to Jack in addition to “be kind” it is this: “You be you!”
I’ve mentioned Carrie Wagner’s work before. We have a bunch of her pieces on our walls, but this one… this one really just stunned me when I unwrapped it for Jack. I’m not sure where we’re going to hang this, but I’m tempted to put it above my spot on the couch where I often doze with Jack in me arms. What do you think?
And then there was this. I’ not sure where Margaret found it. The brand is called Quotable Mugs from www.quotablecards.com. I think it’s neat.
And now comes all of the cleanup. Ohigosh… so much post-holiday cleaning to do. But I’ll be doing it with a song in me heart because I have to wait for Jack to be asleep.
Cheers!
–John
