It's Christmas Eve, which in my sort of Polish household. My Dad is 100% Polish, but born here in the US. My Grandparents on my Dad's side are 100% Polish too, born in the US to their Polish immigrant parents. My Dad married my Mom - of course - and broke all the rules. My Mom is French, German (you can imagine what my Grammy thought of that one), English (this part they can trace all the way back to the Mayflower), and one portion of overall melting pot.). Mr. Darcy is overall melting pot too, but the portions we know include Cherokee Indian (a rather small percent at this point), Africaans, Scottish, and English. Of course, my Dad knighted him Polish back when we were engaged with a frozen kielbaska when my Grammy told Mr. Darcy that he was so wonderful but that the one thing that would make him perfect for me was if he was Polish. That has to count for something, right? Genetically speaking, though, my little ladies are only about 25% Polish. (Although I think Angelfish might be more Polish than Ladybug. She LOVES Polish food and rather looks like the Polish side of the family. Ladybug is okay with Polish food, but really looks like Mr. Darcy.) But as my Grammy would say, "the Polish part is the best part!"
Anyway. Christmas Eve (or as I like to call it "Polish Christmas") is really the big deal for Polish Catholic people. We're a bit superstitious, and that comes to play on Christmas Eve especially. Anything that happens on Christmas Eve is thought to be a look into the coming year. If a man is the 1st guest to to enter your house on Christmas Eve, that's good luck. A woman, not so much. The reason? The man is symbolic of Jesus' birth. The woman is symbolic of the tears that Mary sheds when Jesus is crucified.
I guess it's bad that when my neighbor walked by the house this morning on a walk with her little ones, I thought that if she comes to the door I really hope her son steps through the door first! Superstition. Also, behavior on this day portends the coming year. Quarrel on Christmas Eve and you'll have a quarrelsome year. Ladybug started to argue with me this morning about scissors and I told her that we would not be arguing today. She gave up after a few moments and gave them over. So far, the little ladies have been well behaved and are playing nicely together.. They were dancing to jazz Christmas Carols a little bit ago and are now in the playroom having a "party." Last night, Angelfish requested only food she likes for lunch on Christmas Eve - "chicken nuggets, applesauce, and pasta."
A day home for Christmas Eve is wonderful. Mr. Darcy is at work until around noon or "whenever I get to a good stopping point for what I'm working on." Last year, he got home at 4 pm. I'm hoping he'll be home earlier this year. Come 1:30 pm, my out of office will be on and I won't be back to work until December 31st. I'm looking forward to the time off and the days with the girls. We're finally using our free week of daycare for vacation - it has to be a Monday through Friday, so we couldn't do it when we went to Seattle... but this way it pretty much paid for most of Christmas (other than the fake tree). Funny how things tend to work out.
Ladybug was super happy last night when I asked her to stay home from daycare with me. She acted like it was the absolute best thing that had ever happened to her, and gave me a huge hug and kiss and said "Thank you so much Mommy" in such a way that I almost got teary eyed. I asked Angelfish if she would stay home with me too and she said "Sure! I'd love to!" in a peppy little way. I think that exchange with them very well may have been the best Christmas present I'll receive.
Around 4:30 pm today I'll start cooking. I'm taking some short cuts with the meal, so it won't be as yummy, but after working a large part of the day, and still kind of in this emotional recovery from all that went on with my Mom's cancer and surgery I think I need the break.
Also, if you want to give someone a potential gift - join the Be the Match Bone Marrow Registry. I have a friend who is searching for a bone marrow match for a transplant right now, so you never know whose life you might save! And if you join before January 30, 2010, you can do it for free (otherwise there is a charge for the initial work to put you on the registry). Here are the steps:
1) Visit http://www.icla.org/
2) Click on Register.
3) Review donor eligibility requirements and use the following promo code: BTM2010 This code will allow you to Pay Nothing if done before January 30, 2010.
4) Complete the online registration form.
5) Receive by mail a simple, do-it-yourself tissue typing kit. The kit includes everything you need to collect a sample of your cheek cells using cotton swabs.
And now it's back to work and the cherubs. Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!
Ladybug in one of her fashion creations - a hat made from underpants!
Now doesn't that make your Christmas even Merrier?
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