Celebrating Yule

We celebrated Yule today, and while today was interesting, exciting, and wonderful, I have to start the story with  last night. 

We are still slowly developing our pagan rituals and celebrations so for now Yule looks mostly like Christmas here without the manger scene, church, or much talk of Christ.  We participate in the tradition of Santa Claus, but Santa Claus comes on Yule here.  So, last night we informed our children that tomorrow was Yule/Christmas and I told MC that "Santa may bring you a doll, or a horsey, or something like that".  Well, apparently that was both just the right thing to tell my wonderfully different son to get him excited and just the wrong thing to tell the little guy to get him to SLEEP.  He ended up being so excited that despite starting bedtime at 7:30pm it wasn't until after midnight and a drive in the Van with BS that he finally fell asleep.  Poor little guy.  Every time he'd almost fall asleep he'd snap his eyes open and in his very limited speech capacity express his excitement by saying "Ho Ho Ho", he was watching for Santa. 

So, this morning around 8am OC wakes up and climbs from his room (baby gate) into ours since he has to go through our room to get to the main areas of the house.  I looked up at him and told him he was allowed to go to the bathroom and then come right back up, no touching the Christmas stuff.  Yep, I'm that kind of mommy, Christmas/Yule is a family affair and the entire family will enjoy it together.  So, he did as he was asked (oh what a blessing that was) and came back up.  About 20 minutes later MC started to stir and Grandma and Grandpa (BS's parents) called and said they were almost here.  MC nursed a little bit for a more comfy wake up, especially since he was so short on sleep, and we all got up and went down for our Stockings.  OC, of course was super excited.  We all got into our stockings as OC practically threw them at all of us, and then I insisted on changing the baby's diaper, getting him dressed for the day, and at least taking MC potty so he didn't wet himself before any gifts were opened. 

Grandma and Grandpa were wonderful this year and nearly doubled the gifts under the tree upon their arrival.  This was certainly a blessing because due to limited budget OC had one gift under our tree, MC had two gifts, and the baby only had his stocking.  So after Grandma and Grandpa came the baby had two gifts, MC had 3 or 4, and OC had at least 3.  OC got things typical for an 8 year old, clothes, a radio headset, and an e-book reader, which was the one main gift he got from us.  With his going back and forth from our house to his father's house and other excursions we make it is much easier if he can take a number of books on an e-reader than trying to take a stack of books that he likes.  He also got a therapeutic chew toy so that he would stop chewing on his clothing and random items, and a therapeutic stress relief "twisty toy" for other times when he needs a distraction, as stocking stuffers.  He seems to love both and I am very happy about that.  He also got $40 to spend or save for himself.  This is our method of teaching our kids financial responsibility.  It may not be regular money (allowance style), but they do get money that they have to budget their own spending from.

MC's gifts were interesting.  In choosing gifts for MC we try to be fairly cautious.  Since he is still mostly non-verbal it is not like he is requesting things looking through adds, and we don't watch TV with commercials, only Netflix, so we do not get exposure that way.  So, while picking toys for the children we took him through the toy aisles in the store.  When he started reaching for toys, that is how we chose what to buy.  MC got "Twilight Sparkle" a talking My Little Pony doll with books that she "reads" aloud, a Cabbage Patch Doll, and a potty and a new shirt for his "little baby" who is a miniature baby doll.  Grandma seemed a bit surprised, and even uncomfortable with the gifts for MC but luckily she did not say anything against them.  Grandpa took it all in stride.  When we explained that we took him through the toy aisles to choose his gifts everyone seemed to calm a bit more about the situation.  I honestly feel like sighing that such an explanation is even necessary.  My opinionated 2 year old may not speak but he makes his desires known, there is no reason I should have to explain said desires.  Either way Grandma was luckily thinking along gender neutral lines herself.  She lucked into a perfect gift by getting our Curious George loving little one a Monkey doll and blanket, so now he has his own George.  She also got him clothes and a few books, but what kid gets all excited about those? ;)  He also got $6.50 to spend, or save, for himself.

As I stated above, the baby got mostly food, a stocking full of food.  He also got a new outfit from Grandma and Grandpa and a cute stuffed panda from Grandma and Grandpa.  I have a feeling our stuffed animal collection will continue to grow for a few years yet. 

As for the mommies.  I got an amazing buckwheat pillow, complete with a lavender satchet so it smells amazing.  I've been talking about wanting one for YEARS and BS apparently took it to heart and bought me one.  I'm so happy, I haven't even officially used it yet and I'm still just in love with the thing.  I also got the final book in Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle.  I think I'd be more excited about that if I had any time to read.  From the Grandparents I got a sweater.  I'm not sure how I like the fit yet because they got it through Avon and the smell is too strong for me to wear it until it's washed.  BS's mother finally made an awesome clothing purchase on her part and got her a gorgeous black form fitting sweater.  It fits her wonderfully and accents all the right spots, it is very classy and very feminine and just perfect.  From us BS got a fondue set and an appointment to get her ears pierced. 

We may not have come home with huge hauls, but I think we had a nice Christmas.  We took Grandma and Grandpa out to eat afterwards and treated them to a nice "Christmas" brunch.  All in all it has been a wonderful morning, and I'm looking forward to a relaxing afternoon.