We leave this evening to fly home.  We’re almost entirely packed, four boxes full of toys and books have been dropped off to ship to Boston, and I’m enjoying a few last moments of calm before our insane travel night.  The flight is later in the evening than I would prefer, to begin with.  But it’s also already showing as delayed.  Could get interesting.

In the meantime, while I have a few minutes, I thought I’d give you a run-down of what Christmas Day was like this year.  While the addition of two toddlers makes it even more tricky, it’s not really all that different from what I’ve done for the last 15-20 years.

7:30AM – Kids wake up, we do the usual first-thing-in-the-morning routine.

8:00AM – My brother calls, is finally on his way to my dad’s house (despite the fact that I told him to get there at 8), and says he’ll stop for bagels on the way.  I can hear the precious minutes tick by, as I know we’re on a tight schedule.

8:45AM – Brother and sister-in-law arrive, we can finally have some breakfast and open presents.  Madness. Wrapping paper and boxes everywhere.  It’s actually not as over-the-top as it has been in the past, but my dad doesn’t really know the meaning of the word moderation.

9:30AM – Presents are done, rush the kids upstairs for their morning rest/nap.  No time to shower, just wash face, change clothes, and otherwise prepare to dash out the door as soon as we get the kids up.

10:15AM – Wake up kids, change into festive gear, head over to my mom’s sister’s house. All six of mom’s siblings (and their spouses and kids) are there.  Toddler nap schedules means we’ve skipped going to my mom’s house entirely. Seems like someone is always getting short-changed.

10:30AM – More food, people, and presents with mom’s family.  Kids eat their body weight in Harry & David pears, bananas, bacon, and more bagels.

12:15PM – Kids start to melt down. Lots of people, lots of noise, and nearly nap time.  Head back to dad’s house and put them into their cribs for a 1PM nap.

1:00PM – Kids are up for their nap.  M and I sit down, exhausted, and wonder how it could only be 1 in the afternoon.

3:30PM – Kids wake up, change into another adorable holiday outfit.  Dad’s family begins to arrive. Within an hour, there are easily 35 people in the house.  Cousins, aunts, and uncles galore. Fun to see my toddlers with older (like 3-6 years old) kids. Even more presents. Even more food.  Preschoolers putting on impromptu singing recitals and playing pool.  Aunts and uncles playing cards or LCR for dollar bills.  Dining room table loaded with enough food for a small country.  General madness ensues.

6:00PM – M starts giving me the eye and asking when I want to put the kids to bed.

6:25PM – M is cranky because I didn’t take the kids up to bed 25 minutes ago.

7:00PM – Kids are exhaused, bathed, and in bed.  Extended family is taking down dad’s tree, packing up leftovers, and putting tired kids into pajamas for the drive home.

8:00PM – Oh shit, are we seriously going to another party? Back to mom’s house for her Christmas Night party. [Too tired to take any more photos.] Same crowd as the morning, plus about 25 more.  Mobbed.  Another dinner.  We stay until the old Michael Jackson starts playing and all of the inebriated relatives start dancing.  Gotta go!

10:30PM – Crash into bed. M wonders aloud if we’re really going to keep doing this every year. I don’t bother to answer.  Fun. Exhausting. Family. Traditions. Can’t wait to go home.  [Will absolutely do it again next year.]