Christmas through the eyes of a child

This Christmas, I thought it would be a good idea to try to see every Christmas tradition through the eyes of a child.  So, when I went through Jolly Holiday Lights, I put the 3-D glasses on like a child.  And, when I go Christmas shopping, I try to do it with a hop, skip and a jump.  And, when we decorate a tree, I do it merrily while playing Christmas music.  Perhaps you have forgotten how you treated Christmas as a child….how everything seemed better, people seemed happier, there was a spirit in the air, there were traditions being carried out, there were family members reunited, there were GOOD times.  But, as adults, the stress of the season begins to kick in.  So, as I took a walk down memory lane, it put me in the true spirit of Christmas again.

My first Christmas and Christmas dress…I think I made my Christmas debut quite nicely actually!

Me in front of the Christmas tree- I believe this was one of our only “real” trees before my brother ruined it with his allergies and all.  And, me THRILLED to receive a Strawberry Shortcake doll- to match my pajamas! I feel as if I am still pulling off the Christmas spirit quite well.

A year later….in my knickerbockers….I LOVED this outfit! And, I loved this gift I got from my cousins, Jenny and Kelly. It was stackable boxes. I wish I still had those today actually! 

  And, my one of my all-time favorite Christmas gifts- the Cabbage Patch Doll! Her name is Joanne and she was the real-deal- not one of those fake ones with the weird noses. It was such a good gift that I still have it.  Joe got Joey playing with it 2 years ago and stuffed it in a closet but I recently pulled it out.  I apologized over and over to her.  My sister got one the same year and her name was Felicity and I remember being happy mine wasn’t named that!

 

Getting older….pulled out the classic sweater dress for this year- and I loved this dress, as well.  My mom loved it a little more than I did. I think she made me wear it to Sunday School, my Christmas program, my church program and every holiday celebration that year. 

 

Well, what can I say? I mean, it WAS morning. I HAD just woke up.  This was surely a perm that my grandma Remsburg gave me at some point.  And, as for the gift, I believe it was a bedspread. I am growing up- getting so mature that I’m asking for bedspreads.

And, speaking of traditions, here’s my brother and I playing Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.  Why do I have a white nose? I have no idea but that is who I was supposed to be.  I’d also like to give a shout-out to Sheila (mom) for her carpet choice.  Classic, long-lasting, traditional – and looks like poop.

 

Again, another two of my all-time favorite gifts: hot rollers (for when my perm actually relaxes) and a typewriter.  I remember convincing my dad it was surely the wave of the future- everyone was someday going to have one AND to please get me one that included the correction button! It was key to any good homework assignment….like my 7th grade autobiography. Oh yeah, I typed it all and it was G-O-O-D.  That’s a post for another day (yes, I saved it.)

And, as each year passes, I love Christmas all the more.  You can feel the excitement in this photo as I opened my present to discover yet another vest!! Kind of like the one I am wearing in the photo but yet so different.  Put me on the catwalk. NOW.

And, the last Christmas photo I have under my parents’ roof- Christmas of my senior year in high school.  I asked for a racquetball set.  Why? Because I assumed all the hot guys would be in the gym so I figured that’d be a good place to be.  SCORE! (No pun intended).

So, I urge you to pull out your old photos of Christmas past.  I am a little scared for my husband to see the battles I had with rollers throughout the year, but it’s all good.  Treat Christmas like you did in third grade- you won’t be disappointed!