Christmas Leftovers

My mother has many talents. One of them is the verbatim resuscitation of several Dr Seuss books. I often remember her starting the Grinch Who Stole Christmas and waiting for her "gnarled Grinchy frown" and "fingers nervously drumming". Her intonations and facial expressions made the book (and waiting in the car for my dad to get some things for "Santa's Sleigh" from yet another store) much better. Sometimes, even when it wasn't Christmas, she would burst into Seuss stories.

Christmas leftovers are plentiful and usually have more umph. Here's to the leftover memories we had, including the shoes that became two sizes too small (for those not as familiar with the story, that was one of the possible causes of the Grinch's grumpiness). At least one foot survived. San Antonio sun is a killer on plastic and these poor little Crocs can testify.

Santa ("He's real you know" so says Mia) and reindeer and the True meaning of Christmas fight for the kid's attention during the holidays. Daily we had new reenactments. They were more interesting this year since Mia's school lessons focused on Holiday traditions around the world. She would often draw pictures of various Christmas holiday fun like wooden shoes placed out in Holland for Sinterklaas. I wish I had a picture for all the various hats she made to represent those various countries' celebrations. Alas, we just have her with her Reindeer Relay hat on.

We even got to spread reindeer feed on our grass. The feed was a special mixture made of oatmeal and red sparkles. (I was witness to this process when I helped out in Mia's class for their Christmas party).
Here is Santa Tiago pulling his Christmas loaded basket via a bungee cord on his car sleigh. Mia the reindeer is helping from the back. Talia is an unwilling participant.
That is much like her unwilling participation in the manger Mia made from two Costco boxes

or as our live Baby in our family play. (it needs a little work and sorry for my solo. The kids practiced, but didn't really join in which is too bad for all of you)


We had the babe in playdough form as well as on a Catholic candle. STORY:
Fernando wanted to surprise me with a candle lit Christmas Eve dinner. I suggested that the kids go with him. When they came home with this candle I had to hear the story. Turns out that after Fernando found his ideal choice, the kids spotted the shrine selection at the store. Fernando did his best to redirect their attention to other candles, but was thwarted by clever and persuasive arguments. Fernando pointed out that said candle was for a religion different then ours, but the kids reminded him that they believe in Jesus just like we do. Then he tried to point out the beautiful other options, but was reminded that this should be a Christmas candle. When all else failed, the kids suggested that it be put to a vote. Tiago dropped his selected candle with Christ pictured with thorns on his head to get the two to one vote needed for the said candle.
I hope that it isn't offensive to any Catholics that we bought this candle. Fernando felt like he had no other choice.

Cookie making is a must for the holidays.
Besides making cookies at home with Fernando and I, the kids got in on the action at the Bass Pro Shop before getting their picture taken with Santa. Genius of this store. Everyday they had a Santa, but the pictures were free and they gave you a coupon for a free kids meal. Then each weekend they had some free activity such as decorating cookies for the kids to do.


Mia also got to write a note to Santa which included the following: a cat, a real ginger(bread man), a dog, a lion, a star, a bell. Although the items weren't all exactly as she would have wanted like the animals being real, Mia did get all those items for Christmas one way or another.


Talia testing out the various water craft for sale to keep busy during the decorating time.

Attempt at a family photo.

How many times have you seen the ad for a car as a Christmas present? Well, I got a shiny car for Christmas!

It wasn't new. It was actually my Civic, but I got to wash it since the weather was so dang nice. That's right, part of my Christmas Eve activities was hand washing the car with the kids.

I loved every minute and almost gave Fernando the same gift, but dinner was calling.

Christmas Eve we opened up some new pj's

in hopes to preventing other previously placed presents to be opened.

Christmas presents came from all sorts of people. Grandparents, parents, siblings, friends and even Mia's school teacher Ms. Cortez (all good things get attributed to her whether or not she was even a part of it).

In any case, these leftovers will be remembered fondly and retold as all good Christmas memories do.