Tuesday, December 16, 2008

I've got Christmas Spirit, DAMMIT!

Do you smell that? That is the smell of Christmas oozing out of my pores. As you may know, I am a whore for all things Christmas.

This year, it would have been much easier to just ignore it and pretend it didn't exist, but what kind of mom (and Christmas whore) would that make me? Jay's post yesterday, spoke exactly the way I, and I'm sure many, were feeling... UGH, Christmas? Not this year... It's good to be reminded that everyone has their own kinds of struggles and are equaling having a hard time- SO SUCK IT UP!

Determined to keep my reputation in tact, this weekend I immersed my family into everything Christmas-y that I could find.

First stop, Historic St. Charles, MO Main Street. It's so picturesque down here and just a few minutes from my house! The place is stuck in a time warp- carolers (in old-fashioned costume) line the cobblestone streets, "Santas from Around the World", and horse and carriage rides...


I love it, it's as close as I will ever get to my dream of a "New England" Christmas. Oh yeah, and I bought myself an awesome purse that I've had my eye on, but I wrapped it up- it will be from Santa!

Next, we headed to a local Church for their "Journey to Bethlehem". I have wanted to try it since we moved here, but the cold and snow has always been too much to justify getting the kids sick before Christmas (it's outside). I decided that this was the year. Beebs is no longer a baby, the weather was 'mild'- and we I could use a reminder of the 'reason for the season'... It was pretty fantastic. Every parking attendant is dressed in shepherd garb.


They have sheep, donkeys, and camels all over the place.
You role play as a member of the family of David and follow the course that Mary and Joseph took to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. They lead you through a mulch trail in the winding woods with tents and recreate marketplaces, Nazareth and the manger scene. They even give you 'papers' to show to the scary Roman Soldiers along the path.
The pictures totally suck because I put my son in charge and he was scared shitless that he would get in trouble for snapping shots- they were pretty scary!



Sunday, we went to my daughter's first Christmas band concert... this is her first year playing the flute and, you know, they weren't half bad!


Now, I think this is funny, but apparently I have a warped sense of humor... so, if you love chipmunks... you might want to skip it, but if your kids have made you sit through the Alvin and the Chipmunks movie about 1800 times in the last year, I think you may appreciate it...


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18 comments:

Denise @ Sunflowers, Chocolate and Little Boys said...

Im glad you are getting into the Christmas spirt....even if it is hard to do. And Love the chipmunk video! Hilarious!!

Debz said...

Are you sure the smell is "christmas oozing out of your pores" and not the damn chipmunks?
I think they're done - take em off the spit now.

Unknown said...

I love the video. I hope they took out Alvin first.

Is that a piney smell? If so, you can send some to my house?

CailinMarie said...

oh I am so the Grinch this year - honestly - I am dragging myself through the motions - except for driving through Colonial Williamsburg which is enroute to preschool. I love the apples and pine boughs and bows and "old timey" decorations and horse and carriages and interpreters in full attire. Hmmm... I guess I could at least light some candles and make cookies...
although, I did have a big party last week, maybe that is my problem, I'm still recovering?
although - at the preschool parties today one of the dad's brought in rum to give the punch a little kick - ahhh so much better

Dorsey said...

Chipmunks roasting on an open fire....GENIUS!! PURE GENIUS!! hehe But I'm warped that way too. hehe

I love the idea of the Christmas trail put on by the church. My daughter and I went to a local mall that had a horse drawn carriage and after the initial "Oooo...Mom, can we?!?!" She asked what the smell was in the air. I replied.."Horse shit, baby, that's horse shit. Doesn't it just feel like Christmas now?" HAHAHAHA!!!cot

Tiffany said...

That place looks awesome.

And you're are speaking er reading from a 1st seat flutist here. I was awesome! And your daughter looks so cute!

I'm "working" right now so I can't watch the video. I'm sure I'll love it. LOL

Tiffany said...

I am so not feelin' it this year. We decided to get a cabin for Christmas, so why decorate my house, right? Wrong. 8 year old old insists. What is with these kids and Christmas anyway?

Although, I have to say, all the festive activities in your town look awesome! Drinking also helps make anything more fun.

Jenni said...

Oh the Journey to Bethlehem looks terrific! We were going to go to a living Nativity here, but there was an ice storm and it got canceled...humbug!

Deb said...

oh girl, you DO have the spirit! i am impressed with the tour and nativity.

i sat through a band concert tonight myself. i am happy to say it is my final elementary holiday concert, as youngest is moving on to middle school next year. i am not shedding too many tears, but my attitude is not as festive as yours. i will try. i promise.

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted to do teh New England Christmas. All charming and cutesy and cozy. The best I get is the palm tree wrapped in lights in the front yard. The first picture made me so jealous! Hope you keep enjoying the holidays!

SOUP OF THE DAY said...

I bought myself a purse for christmas too! :)

jill jill bo bill said...

Going to those live nativity scenes make me so glad I wasn't born during those times. Could ypu imagine? Those smells, those clothes? All theat hard work?

Legal Diva said...

Alvin... bless their hearts. We have the entire chipmunks Christmas soundtrack and just so happens that this year its a favorite of my youngest. If I hear it one more time... Thank you for that video, from the bottom of my heart.

Terri said...

that walk thing sounds pretty cool! we could all use a reminder what the season is really about. I went over and read Jay's post, it was good. Glad you are finding your Christmas spirit, Happy Holidays Tena!

Unknown said...

I knew some of the elf magic dust i sprinkled around would hit someone-Glad it was you!

TY for the bday wishes-it made my day

jaime said...

wow your daughter looks exactly like you in that pic! glad you enjoyed yourselves, looked fun!

Unknown said...

OMG! And I just want the holidays done and over with already !!! lol

Jay @halftime lessons said...

T-
Thanks so much for the shoutout... And again I'll say that you create suck a beautiful home and spirit for your kids at Christmas...I really am in awe. We are trying like hell over here, but lacking in creativity...so I am putting aside my own bah humbug and letting my wife lead tomorrow...hopefully we will find "it"!

Jay