White Elephant Gifts

Have you ever been to a white elephant party?  I went to ONE.  Once.  It was held directly after Christmas and everyone brought their “least” favorite gift.  Then they had a drawing and began playing games to see who ended up with the “White Elephant” gift.  Although the party was fun, I bought a prank present to take.  I really couldn’t (and still can’t) force myself to part with even the most ridiculous of gifts.



Which leads me to this post.  The gifts I should have re-gifted.  But haven’t … because I love that man.

Yes. Those of you who’ve been reading for awhile will know – that man – is my dad.
 
He’s got this weird sense of humor that makes every gift giving exchange an adventure.  This year I did tell him that if I got a crank gift I would put it on Craig’s List directly after Christmas.  How is that for the Christmas spirit? 

I’m sure you are dying to know what evidence I would publicly announce this with… allow me to elaborate.


1.  When I was 6 and my brother was 4 – my dad found a gun on sale.  The price was too good to pass up, so that year we got a 22 rifle to share.  Yup…. I said a 22.  How many 6 and 4 year olds do you know that could say they owned their own gun?  (A side note to this… probably the most disappointed my dad has been in me was when I refused to become a hunter with him.  Not because I’m opposed to meat – more opposed to cold and wet and silence.)

2.  When I was 11, my parents were newly divorced.  I really wanted colored jeans. (think early 90’s fashion).  I went to American Eagle – wrote down the sizes, styles, even the place in the store to find these jeans.  Little did I know that my dad shopped at 4am on Christmas eve morning.  American Eagle wasn’t open at that time… only Wal-Mart.  So – I got a sewing machine and a note that said to make my own jeans.

3.  Before I met Ray.  When I was single.  I repeat – completely single – my dad called me one day and said he wanted to buy me dishes.  As I was dirt poor and completely BROKE – I was pretty excited.  I told him to just grab them and he mentioned that I would have to see them first.  We ended up in an antique shop …. looking at Wedding China.  Did I mention that I was single?  No man… at all.  Anyway – he got the wedding china and put it away until I got married.  (He several times said he would “Will” it to me if necessary.)




4.  A few years ago I got full sized silverware – on a keychain. Enough said.  (yes… that is a real photo of said dinnerware.  I attached it to keys to show size scale.)


5.  And finally… last year I got a light for Christmas.  A flash light.  It attaches to your hat.  Like – clips on.  Once again enough said.

My advice to everyone reading this blog – go ask your loved one for a Christmas list.  Or they will end up with a personal blog and look like a spoiled brat when they say they have a hard time finding places to use full sized silverware on a keychain.

But I love that man.  And I have those gifts.  No kidding. 

Thanks Shell… for letting me Pour My Heart Out. 

Christmas Magic

There is something about the season.  The lights.  The songs.  The decorations. The magic….

Truth be told.  I really only like religious Christmas music.  I’m not a fan of the Chipmunks Christmas or even Winter Wonder Land.  I don’t link Jingle Bells or Decking the Halls.  I like We Three Kings and Silent Night.

And then I had kids. … 3 year old kids.  That believe in everything … with a twinkle in their eye.


And so we are “Elf on the Shelf’in” it and going to see Santa and Decking the Halls every chance we get. 

And I love it. Every minute of it.

We took a trip this past weekend.  We went to Colonial Williamsburg.  It was awesome for so many reasons….

First and foremost – a year and a half ago, we thought our days of vacation were over.  We did take a vacation this summer, but we did it with help.  This was a true triumph… a vacation alone. 

Secondly – everything was Christmas Magic.  The lights, the sights, the sounds, the smells.. It was all magic.  We went to Bush Gardens one day and the entire park was lit up.  The kids just stared in wonder at the lights as we walked through the park.  At one point – Andrew asked me for a kiss.  My 3 year old baby never asks for a kiss anymore.  The next day we went to Colonial Williamsburg.  There were wreaths hung everywhere and – they were so cool.  But we also traveled into market square that evening, caught up with Santa, and window shopped the stores filled with goodies.  Christmas Magic.

Christmas Magic…. I can’t explain it any other way.  These next shots are of Colonial Williamsburg.  Yes, some of them are of wreaths – but check out how cool they are! They made these wreaths out of anything they had laying around!



He knows…. this is where he would be standing if we were, “back in the day.”




So there you have it.  Our winter mini-vacation.  Just the 5 of us… sealed with a little Christmas Magic to go on our little trip alone.  Next summer we may have to take  a little bigger trip…. alone.  Because it was just one more hurdle we crossed.


Thanks – as always – Shell….

And the Irony Is…

Sometimes you are so busy living happiness that you don’t really have time to blog about it.  I mean… really.  What is the definition of happiness?  To be happy?  Then what is the definition of happy? If you look it up, you will find a list of synonyms… not necessarily a true definition.  Because defining something you can’t touch is hard. So how about this….

Happiness is time spent with your family….


Happiness is creating a house from gingerbread and candy…..


Happiness is cutting down the perfect Christmas Tree….


Happiness is making some memories where your heart smiles with your face. 
Happiness is keeping plans with friends and family.
Happiness is cuddling your children.
Happiness is going to church… and watching your kids practice Christmas songs.

Happiness is …. Eating.  I know thanksgiving is all about eating – but for one little man – eating has come to a whole new level.  Here are a few videos.  Alexander decided his gift to us this Thanksgiving is … to eat. And we love it. He is almost completely oral right now. … for almost a week.  Happiness.

Don’t forget… tomorrow is still Make Me Laugh Monday.  Wait until you see the videos / pictures I captured this week!