December 27, 2004

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  Lest I leave you with the impression my holiday was a total disaster, I should note that Christmas day, at my house, was a hit.

  
  

  I was a little miffed when, because I live further away from their dad, our Christmas morning turned into Christmas afternoon.  He has this tradition where he goes to dim sum on Christmas day, something I always thought seemed an odd choice.  I think it was his way of deChristmasizing the day, early on.  We would open stockings and presents, and then he’d pick them up a little before noon.  Then they’d come back and we’d go to dinner at my sister’s.

  
  

  So when the oldest called the night before and said they weren’t coming until three, I was pissed.  Well, hurt.  I said, “Fine.  I guess I shouldn’t make the cinnamon rolls.”   And she said, “Yeah, I guess not.”  I got off the phone in a huff, but I called her back and apologized.  I could see it made better sense.  I could also see that I’d get more time with them. 

  
  

  I suspect, from the way they were stalling, they were anxious.  And not in a good way.  I think kids get vested in tradition, and it’s hard enough to do Christmas in two households ( pretty rough having to get two sets of presents) but when I keep moving I think it adds to their anxiety.  They didn’t seem to want to go in the living room.

  
  

  But I had the Messiah on and the tree was so pretty.  They sat on the same furniture they sit on each year, and opened the same stockings.  And pretty soon it was like old times.  Miraculously the presents were the perfect sizes and colors, and everybody was thrilled with their small pile.

  
  

  I made the rolls anyway and we went out and frosted them.  It was a wonderful afternoon, ruined only by leaving.

  
  

   

  • 3:03 am
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