Well, it's over. How did it go for you ?

Ours was fabulous.    Well, all except for that whole hand foot and mouth causing serious sleep issues for me and the wife.   We really did have a great weekend with lots of family/ both sides.

I didn't "feel" that same giddy feeling and excitement as in years past while walking in to the family room downstairs on Christmas morning this year.    I've been reading too many blogs about less is more and after hours of preparation, ie.  cutting through all of those damn wires that could strap a 200lb man to the back of a car for at least 4 1/2 hrs, (I've tried it...we're not sure if it was 4 or 4 1/2 when we lost him) I just felt like we give our kids too damn much shit.   They want for nothing.  
A movie comes out....Mommy J brings it home.    If there is a cool toy that WE think they'll want, Mommy J brings it home and we try to find some way to earn the damn thing.
I remember when I was little, we got great stuff at Christmas.   SERIOUSLY great stuff.   and I knew it was great because I knew that my dad worked his ass off saving his money so that we could have it.
I also remember getting clothes and stuff that we had wanted for a year at Christmas.   We didn't just want the shit.   We needed the shit.    Why give my kids clothes for Christmas ?   We just randomly buy shit all the time for them.   Oh, that's a cute shirt...Syd will look darling in that.  etc etc.
I think in a much larger picture....we fit quite nicely into what is all fucked up with our country today.

ANY WAYS.   We did end up taking some of the stuff back that we had purchased.    I know that a few gifts isn't a big deal when you have 1 or 2 kids....but shit...5 kids and a few things adds up to like 250 toys with 1500 spare parts.

Next year we are going to do it differently.    We are NOT going to shop early.   You end up with WAAAAY too much shit that way.   We are also going to TRY to follow the - Want, Read, Wear, Need, gift buying idea.

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(oh sorry.  that's where J will need to sign later agreeing to the terms and conditions of this post)

Cam asked for a light saber.   We fell IN LOVE with this castle.  and so did he.
He was supposed to get this bike when he potty trained but decided on the boat instead.   He needs the bike...his current bike has been handed down to his little brother.   He doesn't know that yet :)

Syd asked for begged for the scooter.  She also asked for all of the pillow pets made, glow in the dark stars for her ceiling and a ceiling fan for her room.  Why am I not surprised.   I've been training her for the last several years.  Sorry.  no ceiling fan.   We'll of course wait until you don't deserve it.  or maybe when there is no apparent reason to be giving you something and then we'll just put one up...because....she did want it and they are on sale.
(J, refer to signature above)

Spencer asked for a blue light saber.    His current bike too will be handed down.  This spaceship is so cool and both boys LOVE it.

Ryan didn't ask for anything...but mommy J was CERTAIN he needed several ride on dump trucks and digger trucks :) Both babies needed anywhere chairs.   Their older siblings don't share very well.

Nathan LOVES baby dolls.   He's always making up beds for them.   We thought that getting him a doll bed was a good idea.
This shopping cart was also pretty cool...they have another one that everyone loves pushing around....it's lost 2 wheels from me chucking it down the stairs. :)   He also got a truck to ride on....it's hiding behind the cart.

This picture describes our morning perfectly.   Cam and Spencer battling it out for the empire.    Nate man pushing his new baby in the grocery cart all over the basement, Ryan eating any and everybody's candy and Syd moving so fast on her scooter it was almost impossible to get her in a picture. :)

Hours these two will play make believing cool space shuttle and castle wars.  Just like this. 

This sweet baby started his fever at 4:30 pm Christmas day.

This bitch took an hour to put together. twice.   Once and then again when J tried to pick it up to move it....it crumbled.
We will be gluing it together as soon as we can get some good glue.

Syd giving rides on her scooter.

Nate doubled up on medicine.   He would have these happy spurts for all of about 10 minutes after being medicated and then he was tired and cranky again.   You can see how red and swollen his little gums are...and also that blister on his lip.   Poor thing.   He has finally started to eat again today.    I'm thinking we are on our way out of it.   with him I mean. 

We are so blessed to have a loving and wonderful family to share the holiday's with.    We are also blessed to have these sweet sweet kids to want to spoil.   
I just hope that next year I can find that balance.   Get that excited and giddy feeling coming down the stairs.    (you know, it could be the 2 1/2 hrs of sleep I got the night before....it might not be from spoiling the kids at ALL.  what do you know.   either way.  I'm gonna work on it :) )

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