During our visit with Santa this year it really hit me hard how much my babies have grown. So many holiday moments to cherish have just flown by, like at light speed. Seriously, light speed.
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We’ve all heard it a million times.
Every parent on the planet will tell you….Cherish every moment, it goes by so fast, enjoy this time while you have it and so on. I can’t even begin to imagine how many times I’ve heard some variation of that. But guess what, it’s the god damn truth!! And this year it has really been hitting me hard. The speed at which these last 3 years seemed to pass is astonishing to me!
I’ve really never had a problem enjoying the moment. I have always tried to find the joy in every situation and phase because it was very clear to me that all of it was temporary. And with each child born it seemed to be even more obvious that they just grow so damn fast!
In the blink of an eye!
One minute I had 4 kids under 4. I had 4 kids in diapers. Everything was sippy cups, bottles, dirty diapers, pee pee sheets, buckles in the car, buckles in the highchair, buckles in the booster seats, giant diaper bag filled with anything and everything I could possibly need every time we left the house, and don’t forget the giant double stroller.
And the next minute I have a 7 year old, a 6 year old and twin 3 year olds. There are no more diapers. No more sippy cups. I haven’t used a stroller in almost a year. And last night I finally realized that I don’t need to walk around with a ginormous backpack every time I take them somewhere.
Last night, like a smack in the face, I realized just how far we have come and how grown up my little munchkins are!
Winter-time getting into the car used to be…get everyone bundled up, walk to the car, get everyone out of their coats to get them into their carseats, then get everyone buckled. Then once we arrive, get everyone unbuckled and back into their coats while still inside the van…it’s a freaking shit show. Let’s just say, we had to really want to go somewhere to get in the car these last few winters.
Last night all it took was me saying “Get your coats off before you get into your seats”. The twins had their coats unzipped and off all by themselves. Then they hopped in their seats and got their arms buckled. Leaving only the bottom buckle for me to do. Meanwhile my older two were buckled and ready to go. Wow, when did this happen?!
Of course I had my giant back pack filled with everything we could possibly need while we waited for our turn with Santa and Mrs. Claus. And in the hour and a half we were there guess how many times I opened it…none!
All I needed that whole time was wipes. I’m not saying it’s not a good idea to always have back up clothes but I think I’ve reached a point where I could just leave a bag in the car for emergencies. I can’t even remember the last time one of the twins had an accident while we were out. They don’t need me to pack their special cups anymore. I don’t need a stroller for tired, whiny legs. Things have changed so much and that night waiting for Santa they all seemed like such big kids.
These specials holiday moments to cherish are passing too quickly
Then there was the actual Santa part. No one cried! No. One. Cried. First year ever they all went willingly. Seeing their anticipation and watching their excitement grow was amazing to me. And then seeing all 4 of them go completely speechless and awestruck when it was their turn with Santa and Mrs. Claus was absolutely priceless.
My thoughts went from “Omg they are all such big kids and finally get all the magic that is Christmas” to “Omg this phase is going to fly by just as fast as the others.” In no time, they will be over all of this. They won’t want to sit with Santa and they won’t believe in it all like they do right now.
It makes you want to freeze time.
To hold on to these moments forever. To slow it down, even just a little. Oh, how I wish we could.
But I know I can’t freeze these special holiday moments, I can only cherish them
So, yeah, being stuck in a hot, super loud elementary school gymnasium with tons of kids of all ages may have totally sucked. But how many more Christmases will I have with them like this. Calli is 7, maybe 4 more christmases, maybe! When I think about it like that, I have no problem suffering through a few hot, crowded, loud events. I can cherish every damn holiday moment they’ll allow me to. Because time will pass and things will change and I’ll miss these moments.
But we’ll always have the memories of our special holiday moments
I can take comfort in knowing we’ll have so many beautiful memories to look back on. And making memories is really what matters. It’s what the holidays, all holidays, are all about. Scroll down to see some pictures of our Christmases past.
Enjoy the holidays.
Peace and love always.
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2017 
2018, the looked so cute but wanted nothing to do with Santa 
2018, our big girl. 
2018, our biggest boy
