Holiday Wrapup
It was a lovely, relaxing, and entirely too short Christmas break. One of the most relaxing ever.
The first real taste of the holiday was our “secret Santa” exchange at casa de Fitzgerald. We had a hearty pasta dinner and busted out those presents Roseanne got me the super giant wooden Apples To Apples box. She was surprised to get this as the vendor said it was out of them and I think she ordered the cardboard boxed equivalent. She also got me 2 Le Creuset stoneware ramekins and a small baker. And even in a color I don’t have anything in! Score! X got pajamas from Kate. The same exact pajamas that X gave to Kate the day before in the school secret Santa! Crazy!
We also celebrated Mike’s birthday a little bit late. Mary surprised him by making him a cake using a Williams-Sonoma pan that makes little train cars. It turned out really cool.
On the 23, we had the Fisher clan over for faux Xmas. We had to push it up due to some travel restrictions. We did our usual long drawn out present opening process and had brunch and an early dinner. We played a game of Compatibility which was a Christmas present of mine for Lee and Riz, followed by a horse racing game. I forget the name of it…Home Stretch, perhaps? I thought it was pretty interesting.
Present highlights were TomTom (hah), BSG season 2.5, a soldering iron, and a probe thermometer to replace my one that stopped working. I notice that this one says not to use it in a grill. I wonder if that’s why my old one broke?? X also got me a GC to “Shaving Grace” which is a sort of MANLY hair salon where you can get a straight razor shave. Apparently she got Mike one in the previously-discussed secret Santa so that we can have a manly spa day. We’ll have to come up with an excuse to bring Ron. This explains why Mike was so sheepish and didn’t actually show anyone the gift card. Mary declared that it was a Home Depot GC and quickly steered progress forward so that I didn’t get clued in.
It was really nice because usually things are a little rushed on Xmas day, as we have to come back to meet X’s family and my aunt has dinner, so my parents and Lee and Riz have to be off for that. This time we got to take our time and really relax.
Christmas Eve was also very relaxing. We slept in and made breakfast, watched TV, ran to the grocery store for a few things, took a nap…then off to X’s parents for dinner. We did a Pollyanna this year to help ease the burden of everyone buying presents for each of the 6 siblings/spouses. Jer drew my name and got me a pooping reindeer and a box containing Robot Chicken Season 1 and a ViewMaster with a reel of frames from the show! Brilliant!
I had been told that Dave and Peg were giving me one huge gift and my ticket to Rent (we are going to take Gabs to see it). And it really was huge. I’m a bit embarrassed to say this, especially with the manly spa day so recently mentioned, but the giant box was the Disney Cinderella’s Castle Playset.
It’s not what you think! I always loved having a train going around the Christmas tree. My dad put one up some years and I just liked it. When X and I went to DisneyWorld a few years ago, I saw the toy monorails and decided to get one for my tree. They also sell models of park attractions to go along with it, and my parents-in-law often get pieces for me for birthdays and Christmas and the like. I currently have in addition to the castle, Astro Orbiter, Main Street Train Station and the Contemporary Resort.
They castle is pretty spectacular. It unfolds to reveal play areas inside and has light and sound effects. It also comes with a stack or accessories - figures of all the major princes/princesses an their associated icon (glass slipper for Cinderella, a rose for Belle, etc) and bits of furniture an scenery, some of which also lights up.
Christmas day we opened up our remaining presents and then went back to the in-laws’ house for “Pork Fest.” Gabs’ bday is Christmas Day so they make breakfast featuring many pork products. This year was bacon, pork roll, scrapple, and scrambled eggs with ham in them. We learned that burnt pork roll is actually really tasty.
Then back home to prep for the family gatherings and off to Gary’s where we had quite the feast and handing out of gifts. Also: the Eagles beat Dallas quite handily, which aside from upsetting Grandmom (who claims to have been a Dallas fan since she was very young) was pretty awesome. Scored $75 in cash plus a KOP mall GC. Get ready, W-S, here I come!
I called this holiday wrap-up, but I’m going to leave New Years activities for the next post. Gotta keep you drooling for more.