7 Days until Christmas. For the first time I am not saying that because I only have 7 days to get things done, I am saying it for other reasons. I made a promise to myself that I would not be rushed this Christmas that I would enjoy the week of Christmas and I believe, I have done it.
My gifts are some what wrapped, you know the ones that are actually here and when the rest show up, I will just wrap them.
We are going to bake on Monday and on Tuesday we will eat what we baked and maybe run out for anything last minute.
Wednesday we will have a "gourmet" breakfast with my parents, and after that we will open the gifts from my parents. We will pick up our Christmas dinner from Whole Foods that afternoon. I have no shame, I pre ordered Christmas dinner, yep, you read it. Charlie will still make stuffed shells and sauce but the main meal will just need to be heated.
Christmas Eve we will head to mass with Henry and then go back to Dad and Gayle's for dinner.
Christmas Day, we will get up at the crack and open gifts like crazy people, because hey, we still have little kids. First Christmas, we think, ever...that we don't have a grandparent in the house with us. It's kind of crazy to think we have never celebrated just us. We always love family in the house but I am sure this will be just as nice. Family will come for Christmas dinner and then sadly, it will be all over.
That's it 7 days just written in 5 paragraphs. My favorite season and time of year will be over. In a blink of an eye, it's done. My kids will never be this age again at Christmas and that is what makes me sad, that I only have 7 days. I'm glad I took a step back this year to cherish the memories a little more and less hustle and bustle.
We have been streaming Christmas music at dinner, the tree is always lit, the fireplace is always on and if you want to watch something on TV, it's a Christmas show. I don't want this time to end because I know it's the only chance I have to enjoy this age of my children. I've never looked at like this before but the fact that Henry will be 6 and Mary will be 3, gives a little shock to my system.
Of course we have some great trips and plans coming up in the Spring and Summer but it's not the magic you get at Christmas.
So step back in the next 7 days and take it all in, enjoy the moments with your family and friends and remember to enjoy yourself more then you have before.