Welp, I survived Christmas in Colorado. Hadley has been absolutely in her element with all the attention, food and gifts. We had a grand time following Santa’s route on NORAD’s Santa Tracker, though I feel a bit ripped off we never had such perks when I was a kid.
In addition, Christmas brought many new insights this year:
*Santa must get really hungry traveling all the way from the North Pole. At least that’s what Jamie said when I queried why my stocking had a half-eaten bag of Hershey’s Dulce De leche kisses.
*Jamie must love me way more than I love him. Or he may just have more time at his disposal.
*While all his Christmas presents to me were beautifully wrapped and had a thoughtful note i.e. “To my loving and beautiful wife. Thank you for a wonderful year. Your devoted Husband.” Juxtapose that against my presents to him that were thrown in a gift bag (WHAT would we do without them?) and my chicken-scrawled “To J, Heart A” (if that) as Hurricane Hadley tore up everything around her.
*Santa does exist. That is the only way I can possibly explain the beautiful new diaper bag that mysteriously showed up under the tree. Jamie professes foul play.
*One-year-olds don’t care what they get for Christmas. We spent hours setting up a fun play area for Haddie in the basement with a playhouse, basketball hoop, table, kitchen, play fort, countless toys and an Elmo rug. When we unveiled it to her, she ran in the other direction towards a ratty old ball.
*Consuming asparagus augments the smell of your urine. Or at least that’s what my food-connoisseur sister-in-law, Tammy, professed during our Christmas feast. I forfeited the experiment by puking up my meal afterwards so the results have yet to be confirmed. So do me a favor: make sure to take a big whiff in that toilet bowl the next time you eat asparagus; Tammy promises you won’t be disappointed.
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 