Xmas morning blog -
the day is finally here, most of the presents are finally open (still more branches of the family tree to exchange gifts with) and once everything opens up again we can finally get back to semi-normal.
The march of the Xmas presents actually began yesterday afternoon just after lunch as the step-in-law stopped by to drop off presents for the boys and we set off to my parents' house for maybe the earliest and fastest exchange of gifts ever seen by this family. Lots of homemade cookies and fudge and pictures of kids this year since everyone is working with a lot less these days - which makes me a little happier in a way. Sure, I like getting piles of electronics maybe more than the next 3 or 4 guys put together, but it is nice to see that even without that stuff (or maybe especially without it) it's still a nice day to get together with all the insane people you're related to and just be nice to each other.
The teenager was nice and it was good to see him - I keep meaning to post about his progress, which is a little too long for Twitter and a little too short for its own blog. He seems to be doing well, my optimism is guarded and the whole thing has been morphed into a colossal cosmic joke - for me.
Not only is he in an out-patient program that takes the place of high school and some treatment/therapy but he's in the one program that I actually liberated a couple teenagers from when I was younger.
What's even more amusing is that he's had to undergo an almost complete change of wardrobe because of it, since they don't allow him to wear any of the t-shirts he owns into the building. All the t-shirts I spent years manufacturing.
It's hard to rebel when the offensive, shocking thing you're doing was made by your father and handed down to you, I guess.
But what's even more perfect (if there can actually be levels of "perfect") is the Diversion Program he's been referred to because of the incident that got him expelled from his real school. When I opened the letter I had to laugh when I saw that I am required to go sit in a property offenders class with him (even though I didn't fucking do anything!!) at the very same program my parents had to sit through when I was a teenage fuckhead (even though they didn't fucking do anything!!).
I told my mother she should feel reimbursed on a cosmic level.
So we had a nice Xmas visit.... then off to more family. This time the other side of the step-in-laws. Holy shit our kids have a fractured family, and lots of 'em.
The next stop was the remainder of the day, snacks, drinks and a Wii Bowling tournament made it possibly our newest Xmas tradition.
the kids were completely exhausted when we left and we managed to get some food in them, Owen and I put out a cookie and milk for Santa before reading them an Xmas story and off to sleep they plummeted. Mom and Dad sprang into action like two adults that really just want to go to bed and have that long winter nap we've always been promised.
the boys have been picking out gifts for their mother and I and it has been the funniest and cutest addition to Xmas in a long while, of course I haven't been able to tell anyone about our trip until after the big day.
I took the little guys to Target and was expecting a meandering trip through the aisles trying to talk them out of whatever weird thing happened to be on the endcaps, but as soon as we got in the door I asked Aidan what he thought Mommy might like and I got the surest answer that's ever come out of his mouth.
"Barry Manilow Sings the Hits of the 80s, now available at Wal-Mart and Target"
yes, he included the "now available" part. Our child is so advertising-vulnerable.
Still, he could not be swayed, I asked over and over if he really thought that's what Mommy would like or if it was something he wanted to buy because he saw the commercial and he only got more positive this was the best gift idea ever.
He spent the days since then telling his mother that she has to open his present first because it is the best, most thoughtful present ever. To say he was really proud of himself doesn't quite nail it.
all told the boys squealed with delight opening their presents and their faces lit up when we opened gifts from them as well - I'm happy that we gave them a little magic, a few surprises and that they also enjoy what happiness they can give to others.
I put a few batteries in, tried to put my feet up and failed but I did manage to post a blog so today must be magical.
Merry Xmas, everyone.
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