Phew, what a Christmas! It’s certainly been a wonderful week but, wow, what an exhausting one! The feeling I currently have reminds me of my old single days. Me and the girls would get all gussied up for a night out on the town spending ungodly amounts of time on hair and makeup.We would primp and preen, dress ourselves up and head on out for verve and fancy. A whole lot of time and effort for one single nightonly to befollowed by the inevitable need forrest the entire next day. Much like Christmas.

There is no doubt that the various carols, candies and well-wishes cause a little spark of hope and joy in us. There’s the excitement in the faces of children, the twinkle of the Christmas tree, the spirit baked into the Christmas ham.Most definitely it isa wonderful time of the year and I am increasingly thankful that I am able to shareit with my loving family.

Now, all of that being said, man almighty am I glad that it’s over! It’s been a whirlwind of flying wrapping paper, new toys, old toys, lost toys, roaming ZhuZhu pets, legos finding their way under my feet and into my bed, new books to read (and read, and read), andChristmas candy that must have been crafted from Willy Wonka himself because it won’t go away.

So it begins. The Holiday Hangover.

There ismost certainly a requisite recovery period after Christmas. There is nothing more necessary than taking a few days off just to actively not be doing something. And once it’s established that you’re butt is firmly placed in its rightful place on the couch, there’s the reflection phase of post-holiday recovery.

Firstly, realizing that everything we’ve been gearingup for is now over. The shopping, the gifting, the unabashed eating. Oh, the eating. I’m pretty sure that I have consumed my year’s allotment of caloric intake. I’m talkin’ 2010, people. Yep. I will be reduced down to lettuce and dry slimfast mix. At this point, I can’t even afford to use actualmilk with my shake. That’s a real lowpoint, folks.

Secondly, realizing that there is still a whole week until the kids are back in school. A whole week. Avery and Jack have only been together full-time for 7 days and they are already bickering like an old married couple. “Mom, Jack’s looking at me.”

Seriously? I thought that crap was only pulled in the movies.

“Mom, Avery say I can’t be in her room,” Jack says.

“Avery!” I yell. “You let your brother play in your room!”

“But, mom. He’s poking me in my eye. I’ve asked him to stop and he won’t!” she yells back.

“Jack, are you poking your sister in the eye?” I ask.

“Yes,” he answers with astonishing honesty.

“Why?” I ask.

“‘Cause her say ‘don’t’.”

Of course.”Avery, just keep your eyes closed.” See? The desperation of a mother who’s ready for the school break to be over. Pathetic. And kind of mean.

Thirdly, I’m now staring at a house which suddenly seems tacky and overly-decorated. The nutcrackers, Santas and snowmen just don’t resonate in the same way now that Christmas is over. They sit in various places around the house, some glowing and others whistling Christmas tunes, mocking me. “Hey, lady…how long can you stand it? You want to put us away, dontcha lady? Just try it and see how the little guy feels.” I’m giving them a week. Tops.

For the last couple of days, the kids have been sprawled out in the living room like coeds after an all-nite house party. We’re all exhausted. We’re all “a touch” crabby. We’re all looking forward for normal to set in.

The Holiday Hangover.

It’s a real bitch.

Mindy