We visited Nesko’s parents last night, Baba and Djedo, which Niko always loves. It was a chill, pleasant evening but (as usual) we didn’t get home until very late. Niko was super excited about Santa, of course, and he helped Nesko hang the stockings (with care) and he selected cookies for Santa and carried them carefully (with both hands!) to the fireplace. It took him awhile before he found the very best spot to leave them, but Santa found them with no problem and had a lovely nosh.

We ordered a copy of “The Night Before Christmas” which arrived, fittingly, on Christmas Eve. Nesko read it to Niko (and I read it again today before nap time) and Santa came while Niko snoozed. He brought 2 Rudolph coloring books, an alphabet work book with wipe-off pages, a pack of dry erase markers for the alphabet book (convenient! thoughtful!), warm slippers, a batman hat and mittens, a big plastic Diplodocus, some glow in the dark bracelets which were a big hit last year, and 3 freight cars with removable freight (cable spools, bricks, wooden crates) that his magnet crane can pick up and move around. Also candy, nuts, etc. Niko got a little over whelmed by all the loot and everything was “what I always wanted!!”

We’re going to open presents on Bozic on January 7th. We’re planning on getting him some CTA brownline trains, some more wooden track and some bridge supports, and a copy of the book “the Polar Express” since he is currently IN LOVE WITH the movie and will start talking about it at a moment’s notice. Or even without any notice at all. I kind of really dislike the movie, and not for the reasons everyone else does. I don’t care so much about the uncanny valley aspect of it. They tried something new, they pushed some boundaries, it is what it is. No, it’s a nightmarish and horrifying movie complete with verbal abuse, abandonment, danger, terrifying threatening hobos, and evil clown dolls. I guess one could say it harkens back to Christmases of yore and scary stories around the fire, but frankly it gives me the heebie jeebies.

Nesko worked early yesterday and late today, so we got to spend Christmas Even and Morning together, which was nice and cozy. We had a leisurely morning with sweet rolls and coffee and wide eyed Niko delight and it snowed for even more delight and fun, and now Niko is asleep. I predict some leisurely train games this evening, dinner, and an early bed time since he’s been up pretty late pretty regularly lately. All in all it’s been a pleasant Christmas.

How have things been for you?

Technorati Tags: 3 year old, child, christmas, parenting, preschooler, santa

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We hosted Christmas Dinner this year, the first time we’ve REALLY hosted a holiday meal. We’ve participated in pot luck in the past (including one year I made a turkey and it was the best tasting turkey IN THE ENTIRE WORLD and I’d never made a turkey before), and one year we half-assed it to the point of not bothering to check to see how long a spiral sliced ham needed to cook and wound up pan frying slices of ham for everyone’s dinner.

This year we made lasagna, cauliflower gratin, mashed potatoes, peas, 2 kinds of rolls, and a spiral sliced ham (well, the ham only needed to be heated up; it was already cooked). All of this, except for the ham, was made from scratch.

There was also cheese and crackers, pumpkin-cranberry muffins, and 4 types of cookies, as well as sugared almonds and spiced mixed nuts. The muffins, cookies, and nuts were also made from scratch.

This was a lot of cooking. I have a 9 month old who needs to be within touching distance of me at all times. I did a lot of prep cooking while he napped or was in bed.

Whew!

Nesko has never personally had to work to host a holiday meal. In the past, we either went to my parents’ or else his family hosted, which is to say that he sat around and drank and talked while Teh Wimmens busted their asses cleaning and cooking. Which meant that Nesko kept fluttering around the kitchen on Christmas early afternoon waving his hands and exclaiming that Christmas “was ruined.”

It was hilarious. And of course nothing was ruined.

The ham and lasagna went in then came out and were covered in foil to stay warm, and the cauliflower and potatoes went in. The peas were microwaved. The rolls were cooked the day before (but I should have heated them up in the oven but I was afraid they’d dry out or something).

Oh! There was also devilled eggs and fudge that didn’t set right (and I need to make a cake so I can melt that fudge down and turn it into frosting).

Next Christmas we are going to make appetizers, cookies, and pie. And if people want actual food we can have sandwiches or something. But people were very interested in the appetizers and were kind of full when the main meal came out. Sure, we could just skip appetizers, but they are MUCH easier to throw together than a meal is.

When we finally have a million billion dollars, we’re going to remodel our kitchen and put in two ovens to make life easier.