My husband, Bobby, and I don’t have any children. We have four cats and one dog. (If you’ve even read my blog just a little bit, you will have met Owney, our dog. He’s a regular guest writer for Wendi’s Weekend Trips and Whatnot.) I say that to let you know that I’ve never experienced the staying up most of the night to assemble this or that toy. I’ve never been awaken from sleep during the wee hours of the morning to see what Santa left under the tree. I’ve never had to listen to an obnoxious teddy bear or dinosaur or muppet talk or sing or laugh. Christmas for many years was a pretty quiet affair for us.
You see it wasn’t until just a few years ago, when our nephew, Justin, returned from the Marines with his wife, Aya, and their baby, Ameareka that we had children to celebrate with during the Christmas season. When our niece, Ashley, came back to Ohio from Texas with her two children, DeAveon and Noah, our once quiet Christmas celebrations became a thing of the past. Of which I am pretty glad about. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy talking, laughing and playing games with the other adults in my family. I have many happy memories of those quieter holidays! Yet there is just something about the cacophony of noise when children are there with you. (Again, remember that other than a barking dog and a crazy kitten named Kirby, it is pretty quiet in the Warren household most of the time.)
In regards to all the sounds of Christmas, I am the best aunt, too. I have always tried to get a toy or two that makes noise. That way when the nieces and nephews go home, their parents can keep on enjoying the sounds of Christmas long after the tinsel has been thrown away.
I hope this Christmas (which is just 3 days away!!!), is a peaceful one in your heart, but has a bit of noise that comes from love and laughter and not just a few toys during your celebration. I’m pretty sure mine will be!