Eerste Kerstfeest!!

There it is! The very first Christmas present you have ever opened! It is also the first Christmas present you also have ever put directly into your mouth. You would have done this anyway, but since it turned out to be silverware, I would say that it was a very appropriate first gift to have opened.

Christmas is supposed to be a wonderful time and today has definitely been wonderful. It is also supposed to be a time for family to get together and, well...celebrate being together. Because our family is so spread out all over the world, that just wasn't possible for us to do today. However, to help you know a little bit about this time, I will tell you about what I know of the rest of the family's festivities today:

Auntie Shanna and Uncle Christopher: Are freezing their buns off on a Hawaiian beach right now. Brrr! So cold, I'm sure. Their "white Christmas" consists of fine-grained sand and cocktails from the swim-up bar. Since they are a little bit behind us time wise today, we will be Skyping them later (once Uncle Christopher wakes up from his sunburningly delicious nap at low tide.)

Uncle Joep: I don't know what Uncle Joep is doing today. He lives in a stately appartment in a posh London neighborhood, so I assume he is doing something stately and posh. He may, in fact, have braved the European weather and gone to Barcelona (which, for some reason, is where the Dutch seem to think Santa Claus lives...crazy Dutch and their love of the Spanish). Let's say that he has gone to Barcelona and is also getting a suntan whilst enjoying a stately cup of the poshest Spanish eggnog (I don't know if the Spanish do eggnog, but I am going to assume that, if they do, it would be spicy)!

Grandma Kat and Grandpa Brian: Are visiting with GG Marg and GG Keith today. Their white Christmas actually consists of snow which, much to GG Marg's surprise, Grandma Kat has no end of poetic words for. The night before last, we had a chance to speak on the phone and o raise at least one glass of Holiday cheer. I understand that Grandpa Brian had had more than one cup of holiday cheer recently and paid for it by making a holiday call on the big white telephone. Follow that link when you are older and heed its warning.

Grandpa Neil and Grandma Daphne: Are mysteriously silent when telephoned and so, I will make something up. They are swimming with the Dolphins who, as the result of an amazingly well-timed world tour, are visiting south eastern Saskatchewan and are available for pictures with the kids (but no autographs) between 2 and 4 local time. How delightful.

Grandma Marjo and Grandpa Stan: Grandma Marjo is here with you and is helping you comprehend exactly what all those colored blocks are for. Though you seem to believe they are a form of dense food, they are actually for tower building and, subsequently, glorious tower destruction. We Skyped with Grandpa Stan this morning to discover that his white Christmas involves so much snow that a Belgian church has actually caved in. Yet further evidence that (a) God is clever with His humor and (b) participating in organized religion is at least a little dangerous. Grandpa Stan was, happily, not near the church when it caved in (nor, mercifully, was anyone else, I understand). On the downside, he has had much of his Holiday travel plans curtailed by what seems to be the European storm of the century. Snowstorms AND wet cold. Let's send him lots of warm love!

GG Marg and GG Keith: As mentioned above, Marg and Keith have enjoyed a visit from Kat and Brian today. GG Marg loves Christmas and loves being able to be with her family as often as possible. The snow has been fairly heavy down there where they live too, so unfortunately it has been hard to get around. Understandably, this can bring even the cheeriest elf into a bit of a funk. It's hard, you know, for GG Marg and the family to be so far away from where you are having your first Christmas so it's extra important for us to let everyone know how much we are thinking of them and how much we wish we could be there too (even in the icky snow)! GG Marg and GG Keith are always thinking of you and how happy you coming to our family has made them. They have sent some really wonderful gifts along too to keep you warm, safe, and happy in the days and years to come.

When I was little, Christmas was one of the most exciting times for me. As a kid, you get a lot of attention at this time of year and it can be a lot to get a handle on. As I got older, I still enjoyed Christmas time but the focus changed for me. It became less about the stuff in the boxes and more about the stuff you can't fit into a box (much less describe). It's hard to have your first Christmas away from the majority of the people who love and think about you all the time. It's just important to remember that the stuff in the boxes is just a way of trying to say from afar all those things that can't be wrapped up. You have a lot of people who love you, my dear. The best gift they can ever receive in return is the sight of your happiness and contentment. And, of course, Chapters cards for your Dad.

Love and Blessings to you and the whole family on your very first Christmas ever!

Cheers

Dad.