Silent Night

Dearest Kaya Moon & Marley Sky,

On this Christmas eve I write to you, my darling babies. Somehow, you are no longer my blond cherubic infants but real kids- with your own ways. And you are what makes me happy on Christmas. The next 24 hours are all yours. I will be watching and snuggling and playing with you. It's what makes my Christmas merry and bright. You are both such extraordinary children- each in your own ways. It's more than just a twinkle in your eyes. It's something you were born with. The passion, intelligence and confidence of all the women (and men) that have come before you -ingrained in your little souls. My devotion is infinite. I know that you will both change the world. For now though, we can sing as loud as we can in the Jeep and host coffee table dance parties. (Even if it's waaaay past your bed time) My dearest girly whirlies-My spirited children of wonder- Go forth and be Merry!

All my Love-

Mama

Have yourself a Marley little Christmas

Day 3 Mall Santa

Took my wee one to see Mall Santa. My pixie. My spirited child. My baby.

Day 2- White Christmas

Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow. How could I not mention the fabulous snow storm? But today's blog centers around the fat man in the red suit. White beard. Drives a sleigh. I never believed in Santa. I knew of him, just didn't think that he or his toy making elves applied to me. I believed in The Christkind- the baby Christ angel that flew in the window on Christmas Eve bringing gifts. In Austria and Switzerland, we always had a white Christmas. Our tree had real candles and sparklers. It was all very magical to me. I was 10 before I had any inkling that it was myth propagated by my family.
I feel that this is probably my last year with Santa. Marley is on to me. Part of me is ready to let it go. No darling, there is no Santa. Daddy works his ass off all year and mommy is the one that wraps all your gifts in coordinating paper. Santa nor Rudolph slept on the sidewalk of Target to get that Wii. The effort to support Santa and his magic can be exhausting. However, that first year that your babies actually get the whole Santa thing is something to behold. The pure uninhibited excitement is magical. The look in their little eyes when they race down the stairs and see that Santa actually brought presents- priceless. And of course the Santa threat is all powerful. Don't make me call Santa!

So this year, we'll hang on to the myth. And take lots of pictures.

Who needs presents when you've got a blog?

In an effort to send less paper to the landfills and because we are just so darn hip- we are not sending a paper Gentile Family Christmas card out this year. Instead, we have created the 12 Days of Gentiles blog. 12 days of holiday fun. The best part? It does not end when all the Christmas paper has been balled up. The 12 days continue to New Year's Eve. It's a little bit advent calender, it's a little bit like the song (without the 30 some birds). So please check back every day for a new bit of fun.

Today: Baby girl sings Oh Holy Night.