Saturday, December 27, 2008

Emily Post would be so proud

Heh.

On our very special Christmas Eve night, I never imagined that the glow of the computer screen would outshine that of my parent's decorated tree.

You see, we had a classy sit down dinner complete with white laced linens and a black laptop.

Yes. The laptop was on during the entire dinner.
That collage is evidence of each person in my extended family sharing the traditional oplatki (wafer) and exchanging blessing with my sister in Mali, Africa. Through skype.

We could quite possibly be the very first Polish family to video stream, through computer camera, our traditional Wigilia dinner across the world-wide net.

My children got up and ran to the laptop many times during dinner. They ate standing up anticipating the next skype conversation with their aunt. What would Emily Post say?


I carefully moved my sister from dinning room to living room, wires attached making sure she was comfortable. I even went as far as to wrap a blanket around the laptop for giggles. I hope she knows that when we grow old together, I have her back and will take care of her wires and wheel chair. Christmas Eve night was just a trial run.

My sister, the attention seeking content middle child, had the best seat in the house.

What a great world we live in. Although sad that she was unable to travel, she observed our evening from the comforts of her hotel room sipping wine.

Check out my sister's perspective and her video to see me my children play with fire, sing songs in high-pitched voices, and even the husband and I dancing for Santa! He dips me at the end, which made my sister giggle out loud in Africa. I'm the one in cute black stilettos.

I wish I could video stream our car ride home to Cleveland this Sunday. A car full of gifts, three children, one dog, and a kitten for six hours would surely make for some awesome video footage. No?

49classy comments:

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

That looked like tons of fun! Y'all do it right at the OHClassy house!

Merry Christmas.

Flea said...

You brought the kitten to Chicago? You are one brave mommy! Looks like a wonderful family time, though. :)

Blessings From Above said...

That is just too cool! Technology really is an amazing thing.

Merry Christmas!

Miss said...

Oh sweetie! That made me so happy to see. Watching your sis' vid brought tears to my eyes. How lucky you all are.

Happy Christmas to all of you!

Jenera said...

I think that is the coolest thing I've seen of all the post-holidays postings so far. It's amazing that technology allows us to be together even worlds apart!

katydidnot said...

that is fabulous.

Anonymous said...

What a truly awesome time we live in. Your sister could join in from across the world and you can share with me on the other side.

Cause it is totally about me, right?

Smootches babe.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas Eve....so glad your sister could join you...technology is awesome, isn't it!!

Happy Holidays!

Lisa

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful evening! Emily would beam with pride.

Anonymous said...

Skype is one of my favorite things! ;-) We've done birthday parties and holidays via skype too.

Merry (late) Christmas darling girl.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful display of family togetherness. Have a safe trip home.

Anonymous said...

I really felt like I was there! It was actually a great Christmas Eve! Thanks for moving me around and making sure I could see. I'll do the same for you when you are too old to move around ;)

Kelly said...

Modern technology can be so awesome. I'm sure your sister missed being there for the holiday but at least she had the next best thing!

Rhea said...

Oh, that's just WONDERFUL! I love that y'all used Skype to include your sister.

And wow, a drive home with a cat and a dog and three kids?! yikes!

Anonymous said...

Awesome. The ambiance was just beautiful! Hope you and your beautiful family had an amazing Christmas :)

Anonymous said...

Love the collage!!! Looks like a great great time.. Hope you survived the drive!!

Kaci said...

Gotta love technology!! Glad your holiday was fab!

Stephanie said...

What a neat way to celebrate! If only could have done that instead of driving the two hours to my mom's....

Unknown said...

That is so cool! I am so happy to hear that your sister could share Wigilia with you!

Looks like you and your family had an amazing Christmas! Hopefully we can get together soon!

XOXO

Anonymous said...

I love how the holiday was shared with Kash across the miles! Splendid.

Sreken Bozik i srekna nova godina!

Heather said...

That was so neat!

I am assuming that Santa was able to deliver a new laptop then?

Glad to have you back here safe and sound!

April said...

I thought about you when I heard about all the weather problems. It's good to hear from you!

Tara R. said...

That is so cool! I am so glad we now have the technology that let's you share your fabulous family traditions across oceans and continents. Sounds like a perfectly lovely occasion.

the planet of janet said...

i actually think miss post would approve (in some weird, technoid way).

families belong together for the holidays, no matter HOW you make that happen!

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

What a great idea! Glad she was able to be there in whatever way was possible.

Sounds like you enjoyed your holiday. Hope the ride back wasn't nearly as eventful as I think it was...

just jamie said...

That's one classy way of sharing in on the family fun. Love it!

Cynthia said...

That is so cool! We are living in the future my dear;)

Mandy said...

I love it!!! That's awesome. Reminds me of the time that I couldn't be there for my sister when she was giving birth to her oldest son and I called up to her room and she kept me on the phone while she had him. It was exciting to be able to share that moment with her when I wasn't able to be there physically. :)

Unknown said...

Thanks for not recording that last part.... ; )

That's cool that she was able to join you in a way. We were able to talk to my SIL with the webcam at Thanksgiving and that was good!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Oh Mommy!

CC said...

that is sooooo cool! sometimes technology rocks!

Miss Lisa said...

So cool that you can all celebrate together even though miles apart :) But you brought a kitten...wow!

Merry Christmas!

Don Mills Diva said...

Now THAT proves that technology can make life better.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Melissa ♥ Spoiled Mommy said...

Awww-thats so sweet!
Yes-technology is GREAT!!
We were able to spend Christmas w/my father in Iraq as well...its just great!

Looks like you had loads of fun!

Indy said...

So fun. Santa brought us cameras for our computers this year. We skyped Christmas morning too with my SIL Katie. And I checked out your sister's blog. Love the dancing! Ha!

Courtney said...

I'm glad you got to share it with your sister even if she was half way across the world! Looks like fun!

Unknown said...

How very neat that your sister was able to 'be there' - and you were able to be with her - even though you're physically separated by thousands of miles.

Kat said...

Aww. That is so sweet. Just awesome. Your sis must have felt so loved. :)

AGSoccerMom said...

That looks like it was tons of fun.
Thanks for sharing.

Have A Happy New Year!

Lynn C Mama to 3 said...

That is so cool. If we had a laptop out, it would be to check stocks or sports scores. I like your motivation much more!

kim-d said...

I love technology when I read things like this! As usual, I look forward to reading even more about your holiday. How wonderful for ALL that your sister was able to participate, too!

JCK said...

What a beautiful table you set. And how nice that you could share it from your sister afar.

Anonymous said...

How sweet! Glad you and your family are back safe and sound. Happy 2009! I pray many blessing to you and your family.

mwshores@bellsouth.net

the mama bird diaries said...

Oh that's cool! Hope you had a great holiday.

Dennis and Leslie said...

Haha, that's awesome! Love how you moved her from room to room! So glad to hear that you had a wonderful holiday!

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Screw manners, I think it's awesome. Technology rocks!

Mama Smurf said...

Really. Really. Cool.

I'm totally going RIGHT. NOW. to check out this Skype hype. Inlaws live out of state and this would totally make their day.

Robin said...

That was so sweet of you to take care of her. Did you wipe the goulash from her chin? hehe

Jaina said...

How neat that must have been :)

AreWeThereYet? said...

What a beautiful Christmas! Lots of love in your family. This is worth savoring...

 

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