52: The day after Christmas

’Twas the day after Christmas, and what a day to reflect.

If you bet that we’d wear matching jammies, your bet was correct.

The Holiday season flew by with our family and friends,

So here’s a little recap before the Holiday ends:

The fun began at Katie and Johnny’s Christmas party last week.

We did “hair cuts” of Rumplemints and sipped on Knob Creek.

Charlie slept all night peacefully on the top floor

While we celebrated with friends like we just turned 24.

Casey and Mikey came home Sunday for a favorite tradition:

Our annual Christmas with the Cruses- Karaoke Edition

With all the food, drinks, and gifts, the fun didn’t stop.

We watched Wentz work his magic while Dallas made drops.

But then as we prepared for our visit from good ole’ Saint Nick

Flu season came roaring and Charlie got sick

There were fevers and coughing, and snot running wild

I learned that hosting Christmas is tougher with a sniffly child

But we powered through the prep with Jordan leading the way

I was working like Donder and Blitzen, while she drove the sleigh

We woke up on Christmas morning and went over to mamas

And Jordan dressed Charlie and I in our matching pajamas

Our travel on Christmas was less than a quarter mile

And Charlie was finally feeling better, the spark was back in her smile

We shared more gifts and drank mimosas, we laughed and had some food

There’s nothing like the morning exchange to elevate the mood

Leila and Charlie played with paper and boxes, which were even better than their toys

Watching those girls on Christmas Day brought me a different kind of joy

As we wrapped up our unwrapping, and threw all our new toys in the sack

There was a party to host at our house, so we had to head on back

Uncle Joe arrived first to our house with his keyboard there in hand

Because what would Christmas ever be without some “Winter Wonderland?”

Our carolers were rough this year, my ears began to flinch

But luckily the boys saved the day with our rendition of “The Grinch”

We concluded with “I’ll be Home for Christmas” over a couple of tears

We all sing it together now since our lead singer’s no longer here

After singing, we filled our plates with ziti and some refilled their cup

Some tuned into the Sixers game and watched Embiid turn things up

We chatted until the white elephant, where things tend to get real

Like, “Do you grab what might be a wine bottle or do you go for the steal?

There’s banter and there’s bargaining, and collusion with your spouse

Like, “How can we exchange this regifted game and get the yoga mat for our house?”

Some trickle out after the exchange, but a few of us keep going

The White Russians, Mad Elf, and Pinot find a way to keep on flowing

After all, Pete turned 40 at midnight, embarking on a whole new set of years

So we took him back to his 20s with a midnight “Fireball” kind of cheers

Oh wow what a Christmas, and what a magical season

It can be a ton of work, but for a very worthy reason

I cherish all the memories we’ve made whether it’s this year or years past

We hold onto the special ones because this lifetime goes by fast

And I know these events are what I signed up for, and will be for all my life

Because the best host I’ve ever met just happens to be my wife

So as I write this on the 26th with Charlie passed out on my chest,

I have to admit that this Christmas for me had to be one of the best

I hope your Holiday was special, filled with love, and joy, and cheer

And stay tuned for next week’s final reflection to recap our fantastic year.