“These Christmases never cease to amaze me and make me feel so special!!” messaged our daughter-in-law after this year’s family get together.

With five adult children, their partners, grandchildren, and exes to work around, finding time to get together is always a challenge.  Plus, just how many turkey dinners can one eat in a week’s time?

“I just want to have a Chinese food and board games Christmas,” my youngest daughter suggested.  “We’ll host if everyone agrees to wear jammies.”

So we showed up on the 29th, bearing our Secret Santa gifts (we draw names amongst the adults), presents for the young ones, and munchies for game time.

Laughter filled the room and our newest addition, at six months, delighted everyone with her nonstop smiles.

The highlight for me, came from my son’s mother-in-law, who decided to add to our celebration by gifting all the ladies with Somali pj’s:  baatis.  The light weight, flowing gowns were a hit, not soon to be forgotten.  Next year, she says the men are getting theirs.

I can’t wait.