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Christmas in the eyes of our little children

This week's Hammertime talks about Christmas in the eyes of children.

My wife and I, like so many other proud parents and grandparents, are especially looking forward to Christmas this time around because we will be getting together with all of our family, most in person, and several others through the magic of the phone and iPad vision. Also, this festive season, our youngest grandson (14 months) will be celebrating his first real ‘touch and squeeze everything in reach’ Christmas celebration, only this time it will be in the great white north instead ‘way down under’ where he was born.

All of us, no matter what age we may be certainly cannot resist the wacky and wonderful expressions and surprise antics of our youngest siblings as they experience the joy of the festive season to the fullest. Some of the ‘firsts’ that have already been achieved by our rambunctious little Liam Michael have included sitting on Santa’s knee, decorating and undecorating the tree all at the same time, his first sleigh ride and roll in the snow, and the random sampling of grandma’s famous nuts-n-bolts, cookies, fudge and whatever other hopefully edible items that he can get his busy little hands on. Just like at your house, thank goodness, all those gaily wrapped presents are out of reach or hidden away until that magic Friday, Dec. 25 morning, only two more sleeps away.

For those of us who are grandparents, we hope that we won’t get shuffled out of bed to early on that happy day, but after we grab a quick cup of coffee, we are now allowed to sit back in our favourite chair and joyfully watch the ‘festive frenzy’ unfold in front of us? Through all the usual oooohs and aaaahs and hugs (and hopefully a few thankyous), we will be reminded to snap lots of great pictures on our iPads/phones or old cameras for precious future memories, while graciously admiring the wonderful gifts that were bestowed on us by several generations of our awesome clan. When all the mayhem has settled to a dull roar, we will ‘all’ pitch in to clean up all the colored paper trail and ribbons, then maybe even slip outside to walk the now totally stressed-out dog while grabbing a little bit of fresh air.

The ‘lady angels’ of the house will later suggest that we should come inside for a ‘light lunch’, which usually includes grilled cheese sandwiches, chips, a Jap orange, and a glass of chocolate milk. Shortly after that every home is slowly transformed into a ‘culinary’ masterpiece as the master chefs and all their happy helpers prepare for that most magnificent and traditional Christmas dinner, and whether it be at our own house or we pack up the kids and the parcels and make merry with relative and friends it will always a great way to end a perfect day together.

Now let’s have a little festive fun

*The four generations of Christmas from boyhood to adulthood are: (1) We believe in Santa Claus (2) We don’t believe in Santa Claus (3) We dress up like Santa Claus (4) We eventually look like Santa Claus.

*Why is Christmas sometimes like your job? We do all the work and the fat guy in the suit gets all the credit.

*For those who have not made plans yet for the gala festive occasion on Friday,Dec. 25, please accept a warm welcome to attend the annual Ponoka Community Christmas Dinner at the Royal Canadian Legion, with coffee and entertainment at 10 a.m. and meal at 1 p.m. Please take a little time this Christmas to phone or visit someone who is alone or shut in, try to save just a little cash and energy for all those great Boxing Day bargains, but in the meantime, in between time, have a really glorious Christmas, all of you.