Kainoa got sick two days ago and I thought our Christmas plans would be altered for sure. We open presents in the morning as a family and then head to my Mom’s house for the real party. And by “real party” I mean the party where Mama gets to drink wine and eat cookies and laugh at my siblings while children run screaming up and down the stairs with noisy toys.
I knew though, that I could get away with leaving Kainoa home with Pat and that the girls would still have a very merry Christmas. He’s just too young to “get” that his Mom and sisters are off doing something fun. Luckily he woke up this morning with a bounce in his step. All that sleep he got yesterday did him good because he’s 100% back to normal. Christmas is back on.
Every Christmas Eve I allow the girls to choose one present under the Christmas tree to open. I like doing this because it tames their excitement a bit and it gives them something to spend the day playing with while I drink wine and eat cookies.
Something was wrong this morning when I saw Maile’s opened gift laying on the floor un-played with. She sat quietly on the couch looking like she wanted to cry and I knew.
“What’s wrong Maile? Are you sad? Are you bummed out about something? Do you not like your gift? Are you wishing you had opened something else? Should I call Santa and tell him to hurry up? Watch me make these funny faces!!! Aren’t I hysterical?? Why aren’t you laughing??”
All of my questions were met with small shakes of her head. She didn’t want to talk about it and no, she didn’t think I was very funny. I let her be for awhile before finally asking,
“Maile? Are you sick?”
Her little lips quivered. She doesn’t want to be sick on Christmas, but she nodded her head yes.
101.3
And I’m SO bummed for her!! She’s been counting down the days for a month now. She’s old enough to get it. She knows there will be a gathering at Grandma’s we will be missing. She knows there will be presents she won’t be able to muster excitement for.
I wonder why someone ALWAYS gets sick in this house when a holiday or vacation time is near.
I wonder if excitement can actually cause sickness.
I wonder if I can get away with postponing the gift opening until Maile’s feeling better.
I wonder if I force Maile to sleep allllll day like Kainoa did, if she’ll be feeling 100% tomorrow morning.
I wonder if I can still sneak to my Mom’s house for wine and cookies while the kids nap tomorrow or if I should just continue to eat wine and cookies by myself.
Anyone care to join me?