Scenes from a Christmas

{Papa’s house}
My Le Petit Village Christmas kicked off at 6:30A.M.. Why so early you ask? Well surprisingly, it wasn’t Fifty who woke us up, tail wagging, ready for his walk and to see what Santa left him. It wasn’t The Husband, impatient and anxious to finally unwrap all of his pressies, and it wasn’t me either. It was my mother. 
‘Supposedly’ she woke up because she needed a glass of water, and she walked (stomped) down the stairs, turning on all of the lights as she went. I asked her about the large tumbler of water that had been on her nightstand, and ‘apparently’ she had been unable to find it in the dark. Um, OK. And since we were all awake, we might as well open up everything that was under the tree. 
At least being up well before dawn gave us plenty of time to relax, watch Elf, and have a Mimosa or two (or three or four) before lunch at Papa’s house. 
When we arrived, Papa was wearing his Texas apron and ready to shuck the oysters (I’m not sure if his chest is puffed because he’s proud to be an honorary Longhorn, or because shucking oysters is dirty, manly man work, either way, this photo has made me realize that my father-in-law looks like Ed Asner, and that’s kind of cool since Ed Asner plays Santa in Elf. How you like them apples?).
We passed out the presents and oohed and aahed as we opened them. Well I oohed and aahed, Brother-in-Law just seemed confused. We had given him a sweater from Gap and when he looked at the tag, he asked if we bought it in Gap (meaning the city about 90 minutes away from Le Petit Village, not the store), and when The Husband told him that no, we bought it in the store, Gap, I thought Brother-in-Law’s head was going to explode. That’s right ladies and gentlemen, my brother-in-law has no idea that there is a store called, Gap (with the exception of Corsica, he doesn’t get out much). How in the name of all that is Zara are me and this guy related? ! ? ! 
Righty-O.
La Petite loved the owl animal backpack that we gave her, but instead of putting it on her back, she decided to push it around in her stroller instead. But who cares, she’s adorable so she can do what she wants. 

And doesn’t she look pretty in her little Christmas outfit? Papa’s Wife bought it for her months ago and patiently waited until Christmas to see her granddaughter in it. But she wasn’t counting on this happening…
We were all sat around the table, enjoying our smoked salmon, shrimp, and fois gras (after the oysters but before the lobster tail… nom nom nom)…

… when suddenly, La Petite kind of stood up, squatted at her seat, and made eye contact with The Husband (I found out this bit after, I was too busy eating. Actually, we were all too busy eating and the only reason The Husband saw what was going on was because La Petite had zeroed in on him). She stared at him and stared at him, all the while, contorting her face and making her cheeks flush. He wasn’t too sure what was happening, but then a couple of minutes later, Child Bride sensed (smelled) something, hopped up, grabbed La Petite and rushed upstairs. Yep, La Petite had pooh-poohed right there at the Christmas lunch table, in her pretty Christmas outfit. Luckily, she happens to look pretty darn cute in pyjamas as well.

And after the pooh-pooh incident, after the lobster tail and the cheese, and the café gourmand with the macarons and chocolate cups, it was time for the other dessert, Les Treize Desserts de Noël to be exact. 
But who has room for thirteen desserts after all that? 
bisou

32 responses to “Scenes from a Christmas”

  1. Oh my!! The Gap thing is hilarious!!(sorry Bro in law!!) But this is lovely to know the 13 desserts tradition is being carried on… Your writing is so good, I could see (and almost smell!!)the scenes… Merci for sharing Christmas in le LPV!!

    Like

  2. The little girl is so pretty that she steals the show!www.anucreations.blogspot.in

    Like

  3. I am cracking up “in the name of all that is Zara” – That is hilarious! Do you guys have a Gap nearby??? The only one I have been to in France is up in Paris!

    Like

  4. The last time I was in a Gap, I was all self-righteous like “Bow down yee before me, I am American, this is my domain!” Good thing I didn't say anything because I think the employees would have swatted me out of there lickety-split. :)And la petite is a cutey patootie on Rudy, poohing or no…xo,HPS. Thank you for the amazing compliment chez moi! Made my day!

    Like

  5. That sounds an eventful Christmas. I'm glad that La Petite could still get into her outfit that was bought months ago. You never know with kids how quickly they grow and outgrow everything in a flash!Happy New Year!

    Like

  6. Aren't kids great… you know she will never be allowed to forget that incident! It would be a great one to bring up in a wedding speech :DAnd my Mom is just the same on the Christmas morning although she behaved better in my sister's house than she normally does with us.

    Like

  7. ROFL, I'd forgotten about the town of Gap, bless him! As for La Petite, I believe they say 'never work with children and animals' or is it the 'always expect the unexpected' quote you need, can't quite decide ;o) Dinner does look fantastic though, and I'm sure some of you found room for dessert :oD

    Like

  8. So funny. You made me feel like I was right there with you all. So nice that Mom was there, even if she did wake you guys up at the crack of dawn. He does look like Ed Asner! xo

    Like

  9. Wow, what is all that on the table in the jars behind your husband? Is that all different types of pasta noodles?

    Like

  10. Yes it is, jars and jars of Papa's Wife's pastas and noodles all ready to be cooked up!

    Like

  11. Love the Texas apron, of course. And my mimosa situation Christmas morning sounded very, very similar. Minus the oysters!

    Like

  12. Lovely pictures.Papa looks really fit and rearing to go 🙂

    Like

  13. I truly hope YOU had room for treize deserts! You are from Texas, after all.Poor La Petite – she will never outgrow this tale. So glad you told!

    Like

  14. Never a dull moment!! That food looks delish! The way you describe your mother stomping down the stairs sounds like how I'd describe something my mom does. I swear, she's getting more senile every day (she's only 59).

    Like

  15. no sleeping in on Christmas! Reminds me of my dad being particularly slow to get going, just to drive me crazy.

    Like

  16. That chocolates! The Texas apron! The owl back back in a stroller! So many perfect images. I hope it was a wonderful holiday!

    Like

  17. OMG Ed Asner is your Papa, your BIL does not know about GAP, and a petite enfant took a shit at the Christmas table… you had quite the Christmas! hahaha! I love it! The owl backpack is adorable.

    Like

  18. Dang, Papa DOES look just like Ed Asner! La Petite is so cute and the owl backback is just adorable. Glad you had such a memorable Christmas! Charlene

    Like

  19. Sara you are a HOOT! Thank you for dropping by my blog and for the lovely comment you left there – as otherwise I wouldn't have discovered this wonderful site of yours.I love your writing and I am excited to read through your archives this weekend!ps it ain't baby clothes if it hasn't been pooped on! What a memorable Christmas – owls, cute kiddies and crazy parents! Ush x

    Like

  20. That looks like a lovely meal! I certainly would have appreciated the accent on seafood as although I love red meat my body seems to be demanding less and less of it as time goes by, and more and more fish (and Weetabix too, but that's another story).Hey and La Petite sems like quite the cheeky 'n' chirpy character! Just like healthy kids should be. Bonne Année to you and yours.

    Like

  21. It looks like you had a fantastic day -and I just love the menu and the starry place marker -just perfect. I hope that 2013 brings everything you wish for.

    Like

  22. La Petite is so cute in her outfit. I couldn't stop staring at your Christmas meal- yum, followed by Cafe Gourmand? Wow.

    Like

  23. What a feast! You guys did Christmas proud. Everything looks delish….and Yes!!! A photo of Papa!!! He looks like so much fun! I love his stance…totally ready to shuck. I'm totally crashing your Christmas next year. : P

    Like

  24. That is a vision of Christmas delights, because it's just us, it's usually just two presents under the tree, that takes me back to being a wee girl again.

    Like

  25. Oh wow that looks like an amazing meal. Our Christmas was quite different this year having lamb cooked in a tagine! Keep well and Happy New Year, Diane

    Like

  26. This is super cute 😉 The answer to your last question is me. I have room for desert after all that food!!!

    Like

  27. Looks like you had a wonderful, fun time with all that gorgeous French food too – I think I would liked to have helped you out with the thirteen desserts! Bonne Année!http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

    Like

  28. Hi dear, thanks for stopping by…this all looks so fun and festive, what a wonderful Christmas, the food sounds delicious. La Petite is the most adorable little girl!

    Like

  29. PAHAHAHA!!! I love the La Petite story. Can't wait for my kids to jump up and poop all over their nice Christmas outfits. At least she didn't start stripping, though, right?

    Like

  30. oh my gosh– love your story of you & your hubby. can't wait to catch up on your blog!

    Like

  31. I can't believe you had 13 desserts. That is my kind of thing. I always leave some room for dessert. 🙂

    Like

  32. haaaaaaahahahahahaha that is a Christmas lunch to remember!! Also, when did La Petite get so big?!

    Like

Leave a reply to Anonymous Cancel reply