Christmas at Ohana - Elves, Pan and New Memories

Quiet the Elf replacing stockings with underwear

We celebrate Christmas with passion in the Cahill household. Through the years, since my childhood, there has been singing, dancing to corny songs, a ton of hilarity, of course gift giving, and numerous other tales I could tell which would make some laugh so hard it would illicit tears and other stories at the opposite end of the spectrum that would yield driblets of sadness.

Now, at Ohana, we strive to usher in a new era of tradition, fun, laughter, and sincerity into our new home. New memories. Fresh breath of air. Savory Scenery. Scents that will bring about thoughts of happiness for years to come.

Christmas Eve has arrived. The concluding scene of our little Elf on the Shelf, Quiet (quite appropriately named by the creative 7 year old of the household), unrolled in the media room as he decided to invent a Manger Scene with a number of Spencer's "buddies" starring the key roles of Luke chapter 2. A small dalmatian puppy plays the baby Jesus wrapped in some toilet paper lying on a ten pound unfolded set of ankle weights (feeding trough). Throughout the month of December, this little guy acted out, acted up, but most importantly, brought a lot of morning giggles to the Ohana household. Everything from hanging from chandeliers to bungee jumping to replacing stockings with underwear (pictured to your right), etc. Quiet made his little mark on our lives and we are thankful. New tradition? Check! Great memories? Absolutely (one of my favorite words that I hear my friend, Rick, say with emotion from time to time)!

Chandler and Savannah at Peter Pan

As a child, my parents attempted to teach my sister and I culture from time to time. We visited museums, art exhibits, King Tut's Tour, Neil Diamond concerts (okay, these were not really culture, but my mom was a massive Neil Diamond fan - Forever in Blue Jeans!) and of course, the theater. Memories span back to when I was just six years old going to see The Nutcracker (yes, I fell asleep) in Chicago. A few years later, I saw my first musical, Peter Pan (I didn't fall asleep in this one). When I heard that Peter Pan was coming to Houston for the Christmas season, I started to draw up my plans to take the boys. We went with my lifelong friend and his family as well as Chandler's girlfriend, Savannah. The sets were stunning. The uses of the scrim were mouth-dropping. The acting, singing and dancing brought Broadway right here to downtown Houston's theater district. My highlight? Not all of what I just stated. As I sat watching the musical two areas will stick in my mind forever as fond memories. First, my oldest, Chandler, sitting with his girlfriend. As they watched the show together, they laughed, smiled and enjoyed the show and each other. Sincere. Young love. I let it soak in and I smiled. Second, as a tune was being sung on stage, I heard a tiny voice start to sing a-long. I recognized it immediately. I slowly leaned down to listen as my little seven year old's eyes were fixed on the stage and he was singing out and along with Peter Pan himself. He was eating this up. And so was I.

Chandler and Spencer in front of our first Christmas Tree at Ohana

This first month at Ohana has already shown me that this decision to sell the home we had lived in for the past 13 years and to start over in a new place will bring newness to our lives as well as the ability to move forward from a difficult three years. Promise and hope awaits the three of us as we continue this Christmas season. The excitement of what will come for this trio over the next few years truly fills my heart with joy.

Now.....off to take another picture of that crazy little elf before he takes off for the North Pole until next December!


My grace is sufficient for you...One Day At A Time!