Yes, this blog is still about Christmas! When I wrote about special Christmas gifts earlier, I neglected to mention the greatest Christmas gift I ever received. That’s her on the left in her favorite dress, with her best friend Zippy. Both of my girls were winter babies- Karen, born on December 8 (I won’t tell how many years ago), and Katrina two years later, on January 4 (Your blog is coming!). I don’t know what I was thinking! It was so difficult to make the girls’ birthdays special in the midst of all the other holiday plans. I suppose Katrina was the most neglected. After the rush of all the Christmas festivities we were just plain tired by the time January 4th rolled around! Sorry hon! Even now I try not to wrap birthday gifts in Christmas paper. I try not to be late mailing birthday cards. I said “try”. J
I didn’t spend a lot of money on Karen’s first Christmas. After all she was only weeks old and everyone had already given us baby presents. Two churches had blessed us with baby showers. Even the nurses sent her home with a little stocking. However, the NEXT Christmas I broke the budget and our house looked like Santa made our stop and just forgot the rest of his route. I still laugh at myself when I look at the photos from that Christmas. I spent more on Karen’s little coat than I spent on my own! And she got toys and dolls and games. But it was such fun! I’d never before had a child to give gifts to, and by then we were alone. Divorce makes you a bit crazy and puts you into the “I’ll make up for it” frame of mind.
Karen didn’t really get attached to one particular toy until the year she got Zippy. He was probably one of the best gifts I’ve ever given. Never has a toy been as loved as that stupid monkey. Once he came into our lives he went everywhere with us. I can’t tell you how many times I had to find that monkey before we could get in the car! Or how many times I had to wash his face or repair his clothes. He was hugged and loved and wagged around until years later when I finally had to put him away for his own protection. (I understand that he’s still carefully stored in someone’s closet.)
I probably shouldn’t tell this, but Karen was terrified of Santa Claus. We couldn’t get her near the guy at the mall! And forget pictures. I can’t even remember how old she was before we finally got her to sit on Santa’s knee. Maybe she remembers.
Karen had three Christmases to be the spoiled “one and only” child and grandchild. I learned so much from her experiences! I discovered that she had just as much fun with some of the boxes as she did with the toys. I learned that it was more important to do things with her, than it was to buy things for her. She loved to bake cookies and decorate ornaments and go outside to see the pretty lights. I found out that I didn’t have to spend a lot of money to make Christmas an enjoyable holiday for her. I think that’s a lesson she’s learned from her first child. It's nice to see traditions carried on. Of course now I'm the "spoiling grandmother", but hey, it's my turn.
So that’s my Christmas blog for today. If my scanner was working properly I’d show you more pictures. Guess I’ll have to go sit on Santa’s knee and tell him I need a new scanner for Christmas!
Happy Birthday Karen!
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