Christmas 2011

Hi there.

Well Christmas has come and gone. It passed by quick, huh. It was a great one. I kinda made up for having missed out on the Halloween stuff (damn baseball).

We got to see all the cartoon specials. I totally recommend all the oldies but my absolute favs would have to be A Charlie Brown Christmas and Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas. Those two hit some strong chords in my beaten up heart. Of course, I ain't saying that Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, Mickey's Christmas Carol, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and The Year Without a Santa Claus are chopped liver. Those are some fantastic toons...but Charlie Brown and Emmet symbolize my dad's fervent teachings that the season is meant to be more than just about presents. 

We got to go drive around Laredo to see other people's Christmas lights display. I remember when we were kids, on a chilly night, my mom would put on our pj's and bundle up in our coats and pile us into our dad's 1979 Capric Classic. My dad would rotate between two cassettes: John Denver and the Muppets A Christmas Together and some other kid friendly Christmas carols. He'd usually stick close to the west side cuz he said there was more spirit there than in the rich neighborhoods where they hired people to string up the lights. At the end of the night, we'd hit STARS for some burgers or foot-long dogs. This time, seven of us squeezed into his 1999 Ford Taurus (how we fit, I really don't know) and we drove around the city. We joked, oohed and awed, and had a jolly ol' time. STARS was still our go-to spot at the end of the night.          

Our House

The Competition

We got to bake cookies. I pride myself on my baking skills but due to lack of planning and time, I had to buy the just add water stuff. The cookies weren't really up to par, but the kiddo had a great time. This time she was finally able to join in the fun. We were even able to put together gingerbread houses. There was some competition between two of my sisters-in-law and my daughter and me. Putting together a gingerbread house is kinda difficult, especially when the helper is eating most of the decorations. Still, I think the final products came out nicely. Too bad they didn't make it to the big day. Apparently someone was missing cookies for his coffee...

who needs Christmas carolers? We have our own entertainment

Christmas Eve was spent at my grandmother's house, as per the tradition since before I can remember. Even though she's no longer with us, my dad tries his best to make her house inviting for whoever wishes to stop by. The tios got together to sing a couple of songs, the cousins lit some fireworks, all while A Christmas Story played in the background.

who really had more fun?

poor chair..anything for the niece

The big day was spent at my dad's. I decided to spend the night there since the kiddo was worried Santa would forget about her. My brothers also decided to spend the night at Dad's, so it felt like we were kids again. It was also the first time I had to officially play the role of the man in red. It was fun and I didn't mind the fact that I didn't get credit for any of her gifts; the look of wonderment in her eyes was worth it. The morning was spent joking around, eating tamales, the kiddo playing with her toys, all while A Christmas Story played in the background. I think that's the best thing in the world, drifting in and out of sleep while Ralphie is trying to get his Red Ryder BB gun from Santa. 

The evening was spent at my mom's, playing some loteria. Having divorced parents sucks the big one. Especially when they have absolutely no communication between each other. Usually one or the other ends up  losing out on the holidays. More often than not it's my mom, but that's dirty laundry that doesn't need to be aired out right now. Spending the evening, joking around and being with my mom ended the blessed day nicely.

So, I apologize for the lack of posting but December was a very good month for me. I'll try my best to touch base more often. I sincerely hope everyone had a great holiday. I'm already writing out my resolutions for the new year. 2012 is looking to be a pretty awesome year.

Cheers.