Christmas Chameleon

And we're back.  I'm sitting among unpacked bags, children's car clutter, dessert dishes and dirty laundry.  Instead of doing anything about all of that I'm sipping on wine, breathing deep, relishing in the calm and quiet of this last night of this year after such a full amazing week.

This was the first year that I had reservations about our holiday sojourn.  Not for the family and the fun no, but for the effort and the strain and the FARness of it all.  I was so craving a quiet Christmas morning at home, just us 4, jammies and coffee and cocoa and time and laze.  Then a magical quick trip north to be with all those that we love in time for dinner and stories and play.

But life isn't quite like that is it?  So we compromise and we travel and we strain because in the end it's just about always worth it.  And let me tell you.  It was worth it.

We had an absolutele blast in Minnesota.  Ainsley's birthday was a resounding success.  Christmas went as smoothly and yummily as a Chrsitmas with 5 grandchildren can go, and each spare moment was spent purposefully and joyfully. 

I was so pleased with my girls this trip.  All that excitement and fun is enough to tire out the most seasoned adult let alone a 3 year old and her toddler sis.  Ainsley remained ever grateful for her generous gifts, enthusiastic about EVERYTHING and slept like a champ (well, once we got her calm enough to fall asleep :o).  Louise was the doll of the ball, dealing well with so much nabbing of new treasures and toting around.  She mostly enjoyed all the friendly loved ones to snuggle and play with, new books to oggle over and good food to eat. She absolutely adored her younger baby cousins and each and every toy that wasn't her own.  Ah, just as Christmas should be.

The girls are both at these delicious ages where they so relish in the extra love and attention of their family. It's no longer a battle to acclimate to a new space, but an ease of transition into a much adored home away from home.  Ainsley runs to her biggest big girl bed at Grammy and Pop's and searches immediately for treasured toys and hide outs.  Most nights we found Christmas relics stashed around her room, her world so engrossed in theirs.  At Nana and Grandpa Dan's the girls run the hallways, laughing at the echo of their little voices on the long walls, begging to go outside to swing and read all of nana's special books.

And me?  I find myself chameleon-ing back to who I used to be in these places.  A young woman, still so needing my own mama and the comforts of home.  Doing things the way they've always been done because it was easier, more comfortable than finding my own way.  Yet at the same time relishing in the woman I've become, with my own ways and our own lives.  It's pretty amazing to marry these two, reconciling it all in the journey of growing up during this special celebratory end of year time when reflection and glee are abundant.

So while its hard to celebrate such a grand holiday away from our home I'm so thankful for these special places and faces that my girls, and I, hold so dear, and this time of year to remember it all, this year and all the years that led up to it.  Pretty amazing stuff.

Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!