There's a scene in the Jim Carrey version of The Grinch where young Grinch gleefully exclaims, "Oh Martha...oh Christmas!" That became a popular mantra around here this December as we tried to soak up every ounce of Christmas joy. We could often be heard saying things like, "Oh cookies...oh Christmas!"
Word on the Wernet kid street is that Christmas 2020 was a great Christmas. It was different, to be sure. We had four Zoom Christmases (including a talent show and dramatic reading!) and a virtual band and choir concert, for example. Annie made all the Christmas cookies for us instead of gathering to bake together with my mom and sisters. There were no parties for hosting--other than for Kevin and the kids. Though I have to say, keeping the house "us clean" is way easier than "guest clean" during the holidays. But of course, we missed everyone.
There were some parts of our Christmas and the break that were (sometimes surprisingly) delightful. We did have a few short outdoor opportunities to spend time with family in person--at the playground to trade cookies and gifts before Christmas, meeting the Wernets for a visit with Pam complete with impromptu caroling and playing on the dark beach, and around the campfire for Kevin's birthday. The kids enjoyed their gifts, though the Best Gift Ever award goes to the hand-me-down Doc Mobile that I bought for $10 on our school sale page that has already gotten hours and hours of play.
I think Kevin and I would agree that hands down, one of our best gifts was a performance the kids put on for us. They spent hours and hours practicing in the basement (which was a gift in itself)--they had costume changes, background music, choreography, and a program. Words can't capture how sweet and occasionally hilarious it was. There was even a skit that they wrote themselves. I keep remembering how our Head of School once noted that Nellie would be directing something someday. It was no small feat herding those little siblings.
I recorded the whole thing for posterity, but here's a small taste.
And here are some fun pictures of favorite moments.
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| At the lake |
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| Christmas morning with the boys |
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| The girls |
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| Mary and her Doc Mobile giving her dino a checkup |
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| We don't have a picture WITH Pam but here we are in all our masked caroling glory! |
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| Christmas Zooms |
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