Frohes Weinachten (Merry Christmas) 2008

This year was the first year in quite a long time that we have spent Christmas with Peter's family. Peter's parents and his sister came to our house to stay. I cooked the traditional Christmas goose (first and last time - we've got to learn how to fry a turkey like Dean Loss!!) among many other fixins.

We went to the local church in our village (and the ONLY church in our village) for a special Children's service at 4:00 pm. Then we came home and ate. As everyone was finishing dinner, I came upstairs into the living room and played the Christkind. Now, in Germany, Santa doesn't come during the night on Christmas eve. The Christkind comes while everyone is out of the room or at church and this Christkind is like one of Christ's little angels who turns on the lights on the tree (they are never lit before the Christkind comes - and many people here use real candles on the tree) and sets out the presents. The children know the Christkind has come when they hear a little bell and everyone then goes into the living room to open presents on Christmas eve.

So, this is what we did, and it was really fun. Peter's sister, Christina, played guitar and we all sang Christmas music. Cooper was mesmerized by the guitar and stood back at first, but then he wanted to strum along, too! Really adorable. I am definitely seeing some guitar lessons in the future!

It wasn't long before we had to dig in to all the presents. Here is the work of that sweet, little Christkind.

Cooper, bless his heart, FINALLY has started to understand the concept of a present and that you have to tear off the paper to find something great inside. Only problem was getting him out of the tent to get started (we gave him a good 10 minutes or more) and then once he opened a present, he wanted to play with that one for awhile and it was hard to get him to open another one. We ended up leaving several for him to open the next day cause it was just taking too long and we were already way past bedtime. Among the favorite toys was a tractor that he can sit on (and eventually learn to pedal) with a big bucket on the front that dumps, a broom that talks when you sweep, puzzles, books, and a little car that is entirely too loud - obviously the person who created that doesn't actually have kids at home!

There is just something so uplifting and joyous when you have small children around at Christmas time. It sure brings back the excitement and wonder to the holiday season and for me, it was a chance to marvel at the idea that one little baby boy was born in a barn to save the world. What Mary must have felt I just can't imagine. But I know that I felt very lucky to be a mom of the sweetest little boy and surrounded by family that love him just as much as I do!