We've fallen into a great habit of wrapping presents and watching movies at night, no matter what day of the week it is. Every Advent I open my suitcase filled with movies to grab, Little Women, which I consider a Christmas feature film, only to realize I still don't own it, the memory of owning the VHS years ago continues to haunt me. So instead we watched, The Sound of Music, and I didn't even fast forward through the nun parts. Then came Goodbye Lenin, having not much to do with Christmas but excellent. Then came Broadchurch, a British miniseries with likeable detectives and one with a dreamy Scottish drawl.
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This holiday season Verity is a bit more stealthy in her approach to completely dismantle our Christmas tree. Last year we only decorated the top half because she would take all the low-hanging ones off straight away. Of course. This year, she waited until our guard was down, showing delight in it as a whole and not an invested interest in pulling the ornaments off. So we decorated the tree from top to bottom. Now when we are in the other room she quietly continues her annual tradition. So far we've lost one christmas keepsake to her, but I'm proud to say that my mom's snow globe of New York City is still unbroken, much like her spirit. But, unlike our copy of a Charlie Brown Christmas which she broke in two while we popped some popcorn prior to viewing.
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I do feel like this is a special year. Naomi is almost four, dripping with enthusiasm and Verity is our comedic two year old. Naomi took so much joy in decorating the house this year, offering feedback and advice. Standing back with me to see how it looks and then adjusting. She remembers what was in her stocking last year and has decided what she wants to give and receive. A unicorn for herself and a lion for Verity (because she likes mine so much). It's all very heart-warming.
In the pageant this year Naomi is going to be a "flying angel!". I can't wait to see that. Verity's top choice was an owl. Then comes a shepherd. Then a sheep. The last one I think we will accommodate.
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This marks one more Christmas without my mom, who kept Christmas so well. There is such heartache with that understatement. We pray for joy that eludes us, make up for it by giving extra hugs and baking sugar cookies, and buying the most beautiful wrapping paper we can get our hands on. Sparing no expense.
This holiday season Verity is a bit more stealthy in her approach to completely dismantle our Christmas tree. Last year we only decorated the top half because she would take all the low-hanging ones off straight away. Of course. This year, she waited until our guard was down, showing delight in it as a whole and not an invested interest in pulling the ornaments off. So we decorated the tree from top to bottom. Now when we are in the other room she quietly continues her annual tradition. So far we've lost one christmas keepsake to her, but I'm proud to say that my mom's snow globe of New York City is still unbroken, much like her spirit. But, unlike our copy of a Charlie Brown Christmas which she broke in two while we popped some popcorn prior to viewing.
***
I do feel like this is a special year. Naomi is almost four, dripping with enthusiasm and Verity is our comedic two year old. Naomi took so much joy in decorating the house this year, offering feedback and advice. Standing back with me to see how it looks and then adjusting. She remembers what was in her stocking last year and has decided what she wants to give and receive. A unicorn for herself and a lion for Verity (because she likes mine so much). It's all very heart-warming.
In the pageant this year Naomi is going to be a "flying angel!". I can't wait to see that. Verity's top choice was an owl. Then comes a shepherd. Then a sheep. The last one I think we will accommodate.
***
This marks one more Christmas without my mom, who kept Christmas so well. There is such heartache with that understatement. We pray for joy that eludes us, make up for it by giving extra hugs and baking sugar cookies, and buying the most beautiful wrapping paper we can get our hands on. Sparing no expense.
Loved this post, MPB ...
ReplyDeleteI have a similar problem with movies. My Stepmom movie, that I've watched habitually every fall season is on VHS. We no longer own our VHS due to a certain toddler in our house; however, I too, reach for it each year only to realize I can't watch it. (I did stream it this past year from Amazon. Not as nostalgic, but it did the trick)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, reading your movie haunt reminded me of mine and gave me a good chuckle. Good to know it happens to others. :)
We watched "Broadchurch" last week then found out that a good friend of Anslee's, Virginia Kull, is the mom on the US version which is called "Gracepoint." So now we have another series to binge-watch while on Christmas break. The same detective but with an American accent - not nearly as fun! I'm also watching "Annika Bengtzon" from Netflix, but the subtitles keep me from multi-tasking. Love to you all -
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