Christmas Eve

Today was to be Christmas for the grandchildren here in Plainfield. I was to provide an early dinner for the extended family; then we all would go to the other grandparents' for dessert and presents. It was my intention that the kids not open their presents until then. Silly me! The minute Ryan opened his eyes, he started asking to open gifts. He had already snooped so knew at least one present (because I didn't have anything wrapped before they arrived a few days ago). He's a skunk!

Okay...so gift-opening took some time when I had planned to clean. I had quite forgotten how hard it is to get anything done with children in the house... I was trying to get things done. Had set the tables--kitchen, and a card table in the living room--last night. That part was accomplished, but we still had to deal with kid-messes in the living room and bedrooms, and dinner wasn't started. Kendra (the children's stepmother) called and told both children to clean their rooms so I wouldn't be left with a mess. They did! Robin actually "deep" cleaned her room, leaving it better than it was when she got here! Ryan was a bit more reluctant but did work on it. Glory be!

I had planned for church outfits for the children. Bought Ryan a totally new outfit since he has outgrown his pants, and had something picked out for Robin...a navy blue skirt that Grandma Judy had provided months ago, and a cute navy cardigan with snowmen on it. Got them dressed. Cute! While I was working on the kitchen, Robin came in and announced, "I have something to show you. I think it means more work for you, and I think it's gum!" Sure enough, there was gum on the seat of the living room chair. Closer inspection showed it all over the back side of her skirt and snowman sweater. Ugh! Change of clothes required for something much less festive. (Will now have to figure out how to get the gum out of the clothes. Kendra and her mother reversed the futon-chair seat. Presto! No gum in sight!)

Okay...so for dinner, I was to have ten people, including me. All part of Nathan's family--my former son-in-law. Guests were Judy and Phil (grandparents); Kendra and Nathan (custodial parents); Mary (Kendra's mother); Sara and Dan (aunt and uncle); and of course me and the grandchildren. I was running out of time to get dinner going. With a mere two hours before folks were supposed to arrive, I reached into the pantry to retrieve a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix, and came up with...cake mix! "Get your shoes on, children! We have to go to the grocery store!" Twenty minutes later, we were back. I launched into a higher gear. Of course, that's when Ryan started asking if he could go play with Jack... Bless him, he couldn't understand that I was in no position to allow that.

Nathan, Kendra, and Mary arrived first. Nathan spied the huge bottle of brandy left over from when Megan and Denis were here. He found the egg nog in the refrigerator and fixed himself a drink. Apparently, Mary did, too. Dan and Sara showed up next. Judy and Phil were last, but it was probably merciful. I had only gotten my hair and makeup done a few minutes before the appointed time. Dinner was served shortly thereafter. It went okay. Then everyone retired to the Heffelman grandparents' home for dessert and presents.

And now I really must apologize, but I am going into so much detail that I don't wish to continue this diatribe tonight. To those who actually read this blah-g, Merry Christmas!