Another Christmas Eve

Went to the in-laws for Christmas tonight, and after eating too much followed by 30 minutes of frantically cleaning the floor of paper, ribbons, and trash {The frantic part coming because the 9 month old puts EVERYTHING in his mouth, faster than God should really allow}, we packed up, headed home, and finally, thankfully, everyone one is in bed and quiet.

As I get older, the holidays become more stressful, more exhausting, more hectic every year. They also get better. Because every year, I see new excitement and happiness from my little heathens. Watching them rip open presents like Taz in the old Bugs Bunny cartoons reminds me of ME when I was a kid. Taking them to see Santa and the 3 year old forgetting he screamed bloody murder last year, causing me to almost lose the will to go on, jump up in the old guys lap and proceed to rattle off every thing he had seen on TV that he wanted. Watching their eye's light up after we said prayers and told them to go to sleep quick, because Santa could not come to their house until they were sound asleep. Translation: Dad and Mom have ALOT to do, and would like to get at least 2 hours sleep.

We even had my brother-in-law call today, put him on speaker, and he proceeded to rattle off a pretty dadgum good imitation of St. Nick. The level of coolness Dad has now, due to the fact that Santa knows MY cell phone number is off the charts.

So, as you stay up until 4 this morning putting together that toy that either will get broken, lost, or just shoved in a corner in a week, remember you get to experience what your parents did. The exhaustion, stress, and aggravation that is Christmas. But also the joy, happiness, and excitement.

The best kind of joy.

That of a child.

Merry Christmas everyone.