The Fish Bowl: Christmas 2010

Clemons Family Christmas
Twenty thousand ten

We had a Christmas full of joy and wonderment. To see the excitement of the holiday, through your children’s eyes... as cliché as it sounds...is really amazing. It warms and refuels all those little blue and burnt-out sections of your heart. It reminds you what pure joy is- in all its uncomplicated splendor and how exciting it is to live daily with anticipation. It reminds you of the importance of creating warmth and love in your home. As if by dashes of simple magic and genuine folklore it can create an annual security blanket for your children each year. It also reminds us how lucky we truly are as grown- up humans, for we get to witness all the above.I was always such a mature little girl. An old soul. I was very logical, even if only in my own “off” way. I remember trapping my mom, catching her in the act of Santa's disguise, not to prove to myself that he did not exist, for I already knew that, but to prove to my mother that I did not believe and this was the evidence as to why. How I wished that I kept that magic just a while longer. My poor Mom was heartbroken. However, she never stopped pretending or believing in the magic of Christmas. But now, I see why. Christmas through the eyes of little ones is so much more fun. In years when I grew older she started adopting little kids just for the holidays in order to feel joy through giving to them. It’s been a while since Abbi was small, so Fisher is yet another gift, allowing me/us to experience all this once more. So thankful. Each year Nate and I try to continue family traditions and to perpetuate the pleasure of the Season, just to see the boundless joy. This year was special because Fisher was old enough to be excited- actually express it and have fun! He clapped every time we said the word Christmas and/ or present and he made a funny “HoHoHo” at the very mention of Santa Claus. He loved driving through the Christmas lights and relished in his nightly treat fished (pun intended) out of his Advent calendar. He loved all the Christmas music, ate more cookies than ever allowed, attended parties and made many a snowman- out of every material other than snow. Abbi seemed to enjoy herself as well, Fisher’s excitement being contagious. Every house needs a 2 year old for Christmas.What a precious year full of gifts and love.

We wish you all the Happiest of New Years. May twenty- eleven bring you all good health, love, joy and of course, prosperity, while living with gratitude.

Fisher

Abbi

Daddy

The 2010 Christmas morning Family picture.

Took a lot of tries and several cookies for Fish to get this shot... only to come out dark!

Abbi was an awesome big sister and got Fish a super cool Little People Airport.

It was a musical Christmas! Fisher enjoyed his Recorder and guitar- but more so, he enjoyed making music as band with Daddy!

By the end of the morning Fish wanted his nuk and a rest in between gifts! Yet, he wanted the gifts next to him!

A little wind up robot from his Nen-nen: He would not put it down! Loves it.

Some Christmas love for Mommy & Daddy... oh, I mean Mr. & Mrs. Claus.

How cute is this. Abbi insisted on putting together Fisher's airport. Stickers and all. Look at that concentration face! She took her Big Sister job very serious! Such a smart girl- she is following the directions!

Yes- Fisher is sitting on Daddy's head. Joys of Parenthood.

Smooches.

That afternoon we headed over to Nana Noni's and Poppi Tops for the family celebration.
Santa was very busy over there, thank goodness he had Nana Noni and Poppi Tops to help.

Fisher looked quite dapper. You would not know it though. He was a little monster- going on 3rd day with no nap combined with a cocktail of sugar and excitement. Check out this face! Think he has had enough of the camera? You can see his tonsils. He's telling me to get away. Insert sad face here.

Gift time.
The kids enjoying a Santa gift- an awesome Castle for them all to enjoy at Cannington Manor.

Fisher's Uncle Tzaddi with his Brixton

Nana.

Christmas dinner: Kids

Okay more presents and fun!

The one handed gift pass- all while holding up a kid. Niiiiiice.

The Willits Family.

They look like a cardboard cutout, don't they? Advertising what?

Something promising good, clean fun.From these two?
Now that's hysterical.It's like "insert guests here". Totally should market this...
"Make all your parties look like everyone had good times!"
This picture is for rent, ya'll.

The hit of night. Seriously, Brixton's toy. Happy Town (or something like that). An alien village thingy. The kids were entertained all night and played so well with each other. We need one- and fast! Fisher loved, loved- loooved this thing. It is pretty cute. If you think about it, it entertained ages 1 to 3. That's value.

Action arm!

Kids! Running. Playing. Crying. Laughing.

Getting a picture of them all- impossible. It's like herding cats!

So sweet.

Hey- these two match!

Tio Nick wore his party cracker crown alllll night. That made him King Nick... or St. Nick? What?!?!

Seriously, she feel asleep on Christmas Eve Abbi-normal, and woke up looking 18? That was not my Christmas wish, thank you.
So pretty my Abbi. My Boo.

As the night wore on... people got a little goofy.

Delia wore Lucy's new Bitty Baby- which hello, a baby backpack always allows you the free hands to mix drinks. Nate is partying like 1999 and someone, is making very strong points, regardless of missing digits, but no one is paying attention. May have been that Jersey accent, Darian.