The Toy Box Years: Christmas - Deployment Style

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

This Christmas was very lowkey....and I'll admit, a little hard for me. Nani and Nudgie were fully aware that Daddy was not home for Christmas, and this time we didn't have a house full of people like I did the first time around. But having a house full of people was just not my cup of tea either. I just wanted to be with my girls.

We started Christmas Eve off by pulling up Norad and watching to see Santa fly over Daddy. They were so excited and shouted Merry Christmas when Santa flew over....delivering presents!

After watching Santa deliver presents to Daddy, we made some cookies for Santa.

It was Chippy's last day with us, and he left the girls a couple of very special things....some magical reindeer food and a Christmas coloring book so that they could remember him all year long!

And it wouldn't be Christmas without My Marine wearing his "Bah Humbug!" Santa hat!

As promised by the weatherman, we did start to get some snow Christmas Eve! It was going to be a White Christmas after all!

After the girls got into their Christmas jammies, we sprinkled the reindeer food and put out cookies and milk before they got too tired.

Then we snuggled in for some hot chocolate and "A Year Without a Santa Claus", but the girls were so tired, they only made it to Heat Miser and Snow Miser before asking to go to bed "so Santa can come"

Shortly after that, Santa was able to sneak in and set out all the presents for my sweet girls!

Around 8pm, I was just getting settled myself when my door bell rang. Who in the hell rings someone's doorbell at 8pm on Christmas Eve......and I'll admit it, my heart stopped just for a few brief seconds while I thought, "Please God....no....not on Christmas Eve..."

Turns out to be a flower delivery all the way from My Marine. I guess Santa's elves forgot to put it in the sleigh.....

And so we settled in for Christmas Eve dreams.....waiting to see what Christmas Day would bring us!

2 comments:

Natasha December 27, 2012 at 2:54 PM: Bless your heart. I would have freaked out too if my door bell rang like that!

We kept it low key as well. My oldest didn't understand why we didn't have our usual "Griswald Family Christmas Party." When I asked him if he were going to step up to the plate and help me prepare for it like his daddy did, he changed his mind about it.

Wishing you a wonderful new year!
Natalie PlanetSmarty December 27, 2012 at 4:03 PM: It must be so hard to have your husband away for the holidays. I hope he comes home safe and sound. Merry Christmas to you and your family!