The Merry Makris Family

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from The Merry Makris Family to you and yours!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

On Christmas Eve, we got dressed up and went to Mass. The boys were all fairly quiet and well behaved. Frances could not sit still, so she did laps in the Church Narthex. I think she just wanted all the old ladies to fawn over her darling Christmas outfit. After mass, we continued our breakfast-for-dinner tradition at IHOP. Then we came home, changed into our Christmas pajamas, and then Daddy read the bedtime story, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. My Papa always read it to me on Christmas Eve, and my Dad read it to my children during our past Christmas Eve's spent in Michigan. Now that we are celebrating Christmas at home in Georgia, Gus is keeping the tradition alive. Just before the kids went to bed, they left out a plate of cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeer. Henry made sure to include a note from everyone (I asked him about "Fran", and he said, "I was just too tired to write her whole name after writing everyone else's names. That's a lot of names!")

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

New Traditions

Henry had to complete a project at school about our holiday traditions. Ever since then he has been very mindful about making sure we complete all our traditions, and even wanting to add some new ones. Lucky for him, I already had some plans up my sleeve.

On Christmas Eve Eve, we put the kids to bed at 7pm. Then we ran into their room with bells on (literally), and told them to get in the car for a Christmas lights tour in our pajamas. Complete with snacks, of course. Henry could not believe how late we let him stay up. John was shocked that he was allowed to eat in the car. Peter cried when it was time to go home and go back to bed. And Frances fell asleep halfway into our adventure. I didn't take much to make it a magical night for them. And now that we've done it once, Henry is looking forward to a surprise late night wake-up every year.

On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, we made Saltine Toffee for our neighbors. Then Henry and John took turns being "elves" and delivering them. On our walk around the neighborhood, we passed our mailman hard at work on Christmas Eve. Henry flagged him down and said, "Here is some candy. Thanks for all of our mail!" And now Henry has declared this another new tradition.

Lastly, I received the most darling sign from our friend, and hung it in our kitchen during the holidays. After hearing us say, "Merry Marietta Christmas!" all month long, Peter caught on. Every morning when he woke up, he would ask me, "Mama, is it Merry Marietta Christmas yet? I want to go there." So the sign is sticking around for good. Merry Marietta Christmas, y'all!

Christmas Cookies

Henry has been very mindful of our Christmas traditions this year. He has a very good memory, and reminds me of his favorite traditions that we haven't done yet. Baking gingerbread cookies was at the top of his list, so that is what we did on the first morning of winter break. All the boys love to help out in the kitchen. It doesn't happen very often, so they were so giddy and silly while they mixed, stirred, and rolled. Frances was happy banging on a bowl with a spoon, but she sure looked the part in her cute apron. Aunt Elaine sent the boys cowboy cookie cutters, so we made gingerbread men and cowboys (hats and boots too!). By the time the cookies went into the oven, it was nap time for Peter and Frances. Apparently baking is quite tiring because John dozed off in a chair, and Henry curled up on the couch with a book. After nap time, the snacking/decorating began. Many sprinkles were consumed, but I am certain that more sprinkles ended up on those trays than in their mouths (or on the cookies). Frances had her first gingerbread cookie, and gave compliments to the 3 chefs. Hopefully Santa feels the same way when he gets a taste of these on Christmas Eve!