My husband and I were up early today, because there’s just so much to do. I’ll take over the kitchen for a little while this afternoon, baking cupcakes, making my own frosting, and experimenting with a new candy recipe.
Last night, we went to a park nearby with a Christmas lights display. I don’t remember the first time we went, because we’ve been going every year for so long. My older stepdaughter has come home to go with us every year, even after she left for college and then her new job. The last few years, she has come to the lights with her fiancé, who has become part of the gang to us.
The newest family member to join us this year was a tiny gentleman in his Christmas finery, including a little red sweater vest that could not possibly be any cuter. Our oldest son and his wife brought their baby son over to open presents and then head out to the lights. It’s amazing how someone so small can get such a chokehold on your heart, but he certainly does. When he smiles when he sees us, nothing else in the world matters.
We have seen this lights display so many times, but it was like a brand new experience last night, watching the wonder and amazement in his big, dazzling eyes. He wanted to touch the lights, preferably taste them too, but we wisely didn’t permit that. We took so many pictures that he was probably wondering why we kept stopping when there was so much to see.
I miss when the kids were little, and my husband and I waited until they fell asleep, then quietly transformed the living room into a magical Christmas morning, filling stockings, leaving Santa’s presents around the tree, taking a bite or two out of the cookies left for Santa, leaving the letter from Santa next to the plate. There’s something about viewing Christmas through a child’s eyes that taps into our own memories of that magic, that wonder, the excitement and awe.
When our son and his wife were leaving, our grandson reached a little arm out for my husband for one more good-bye nuzzle. I thought my husband was going to melt. I love watching him dote on the grandbabies, his eyes lighting up as they brew up the next mischief and mayhem they will get into. Someday, having him, our sons, and grandsons all together in one place will be a very noisy adventure, likely with each one trying to outdo the others, and I am not quite certain who the biggest troublemaker will be (but my money is on my husband)!
Off to the kitchen I go: time to play Christmas music and make a mess, bake, get dusted with flour, then settle down for a peaceful evening of watching Christmas movies before we head to bed for the big day.
Merry Christmas!
Sweat & Sparkle 