Making Christmas Memories

I have 10 grandchildren and my children don't show signs of stopping.    Someone suggested I get them each a TV, but they already have one so????    Not all of them are near for Christmas this year and the traditions are a little out of wack, but I try to take time with each grandchild to make special memories of Christmas time at Grandma's.  

Easton had a sleepover with us and helped me decorate.     He loved putting the ornaments on  the tree and setting the mantle up.    He was so excited that he was big enough to hang the delicate glass ornaments and the ones that are as old as Grandma.   "They are very old aren't they grandma?"   "Yes Easton, older than dirt." 
He jumped with joy when it was all done, and then we watched Polar Express before bedtime.   It was a great evening.  

This past week, Havah, who is 4, came over and we baked cookies.   She wanted to put icing on them, so we did.    I am not sure how much icing got on the cookies and how much ended up in her mouth, but we had a great time and then I sent her full of sugar and red dye to her other grandmother's house.   "You are welcome Becky"  

 She loves sprinkles.   There were sprinkles on the cookies, sprinkles on the table, on the chair, on the floor and even sprinkles in Grandma's hair.   But it made her happy.  

 

She was so much fun and helped me wrap presents, and was so pleased to be the first one to put presents under the tree.

 Even with the economy and the things we have had to cut back on, we have been so blessed to still have too much under the tree.   I tend to go a little crazy when it comes to buying Christmas gifts.  

This year I was finally able to use the Santa figurines that I made for my mom in the early years of my marriage about 30+ years ago.   It has alway hurt too bad before to bring them out.   But this year it was comforting.



While we still pretend for the little ones and Santa fills stockings and leaves gifts.


When we are all together, before we open the presents, we will pause and say a prayer thanking God for the abundance in our lives and for sending His Son "Jesus" as a little baby, born in manger, to save the world from their sins.  We will read the Christmas Story, from God's Word and we won't forget what all of the celebration is about and who's birthday it is.