"It's doesn't really feel like Christmas, Mom!"
These were the words spoken by all 3 of my boys at one time or another.
And they would be right...
How does it "feel" like Christmas?
For them, it's when it is cold outside... not almost 90˚
(with that always hoped for chance of SNOW!)
It's being with your family & traveling to visit them... not staying home
It's eating all of the special foods that only special loved ones can make... not hallacas
So for them... this Christmas did NOT feel like Christmas at all!
However, the fact that nothing we planned actually happened as planned didn't help.
Sunday, we had planned to visit our friends in Pavia & help with their annual Christmas event.
But, Imanuel had a fever & hives & I didn't think exposure to 1000 people & their germs was in his best interest. So we stayed home to take care of him.
Then, we planned to spend Christmas Eve with our friends, the Rincon Family.
Christmas Eve is much bigger here than Christmas Day.
I did as all good Moms do & made lots of food!
About an hour before we were to leave, Imanuel began throwing up!
I guess the hives were our warning that there was more to come!
(Isaiah had the same virus about a week & a half ago without the hives.)
So, Chris & Isaiah went to the party to take the food & visit with friends while I stayed home with our little sicky & Ian.
Isaiah, always a ham in front of the camera, even managed to steal a few kisses!
It's amazing what happens when Mom is not there *smile*
He returned late that night in time to light fireworks!
(A MUST for any Venezuelan Christmas)
Christmas morning was anything but normal as Imanuel was still violently sick! He didn't even want to open his presents!
(now that's SICK!)
Ian, being the good older brother & gift lover that he is, pitched in to help him!
The boys enjoyed opening a few special surprises. They will use money from family in the states to buy the specific things they wanted like a hunting knife, legos, or memberships to play Club Penguin.
Those gifts will come in with teams or individuals in months to come.
Isaiah most liked his drawing supplies.
Imanuel was so sick that he didn't have too much interest. He was excited to see a pack of strawberry pop tarts & Hershey Bars (chocolate with words on it) in his stocking!
These are things that we almost NEVER find where we live. We are still looking for Dr. Pepper!
Ian enjoyed his gifts, but I think his favorite was the alien popsicle mold. He LOVES freezing things & making his own frozen treats. What could be better than frozen Coca Cola with an alien handle?
The Venezuelan Christmas foods consist of Hallacas (a mushy dough pocket filled with meat, olives, & raisins that has been wrapped in banana leaves & boiled) Ensalada Navideña (a sort of potato salad) and Pan de Jamon ( a bread loaf made with ham & raisins inside)
Isaiah LOVES this food as does Chris... Ian & Imanuel, on the other hand, just smile & say please pass the mac-n-cheese!
To make it feel more normal, I made Christmas lunch with favorites from Great Gran's house.
(chicken pie, cinnamon apples, mac-n-cheese, deviled eggs, & Cherry Cream Cheese pie.
( I will soon make the pound cake! I wanted Imanuel to be better to enjoy it!)
We were thrilled to talk with family members through skype & our new phone device!
After 6 months back, we FINALLY got our new VOIP device so we can call the states like normal people. It was a nice Christmas surprise!
Then Chris decided to refill our good bean bags with beans from damaged ones.
Ian & Isaiah opted to "help."
My philosophy has always been... "It's not really helping if it makes a bigger mess for Mommie to clean up!" But they tried.
Ian started yelling, "IT'S SNOWING IN VENEZUELA!!!!"
I looked & he was throwing styrofoam beads in the air. *sigh*
Then he laid down & began to make snow angels in the beans as he smiled & said it was starting to feel a lot more like Christmas!
The rest of our evening consisted of hanging out together while caring for the very sick Imanuel.
So in the end, our boys decided that even though it was different & nothing had gone as planned...
It wasn't that bad of a Christmas after all!
I guess it's all in perspective....
Do you see the styrofoam puff balls as a mess or as an answered prayer for snow?
From our family to yours...
MERRY CHRISTMAS
No comments:
Post a Comment