1. The look on the Bugs' faces when they looked over to see the little glass doors on our first fireplace open as if a certain Someone in a red suit did indeed come down our chimney. Seriously priceless. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause!
2. The smaller of the Bugs stating that he wished he had an electric guitar instead of the "autistic" one he got. Of course, it was an acoustic guitar, but who's counting?
3. Christmas dinner with some of our favorite friends: eating Trini food, playing Spades (tough to end with a -36 score!), watching an impromptu Christmas fashion show put on by the little girls to Lady Gaga's song Poker Face, drinking great white wine and smiling the whole time. Best moment of the night: the Bigger Bug working his way through a plate of steamed crab and rice. Someone joked that if he went to the Islands, they would ask where he learned to like Trini food and he would say, "What do you mean? I am Trini!" I love that our boys are growing up as part of such a global family here in our own little town.
4. Seeing The Saint get a picture of his mom from his aunt. His mom passed away long before I met the Saint and he has very few pictures of their time together. Pretty moving.
5. Learning that the 9 and 7 year old Bugs know how to play Mancala and Chess, or 'chest' as the small Bug calls it :), like pros. Thanks to an Aunt who gave them a fantastic game house with 10 different games AND a drawer to hold all of the small pieces - brilliant!
6. Sore fingertips from assembling a 493 piece Lego troll pirate ship complete with a dragon, naturally. But I must say, from the drum beating ogre to the net that raises and lowers to the catapult that launches deadly arrows, I am the Queen of Lego Assembly. Should you receive an invite to my royal coronation, please bring Bandaids!
7. The realization that though this Christmas was less in quantity (less gifts, less money spent, less excess) it never lessened in quality. More laughter, more time together, more thought for the gifts we gave and more reason why the Every Days are just as treasured as the Holidays. The Bugs exceeded my expectations in their graciousness their appreciation for the gifts they received. Even the socks.
Here's to hoping your Christmas was Merry and your 2010 will be, well, New!
