Christmas is HERE!!!

As I stated in the Christmas Eve post, Brandon and I were both up late setting up for Christmas morning.  The kids both woke up about 6:30 if I remember correctly.  It could have even been later.  Much better than the 4:00am wake ups of the past.  

The day started with a chat at the top of the stairs.  Each child was getting a "big" gift, but one child's gift needed to be set up and we needed to prepare them for the size difference they would notice.  T had her "how to show appreciation for gifts" sheet ready to go.  Both kids decided to change PJ's so they could "match" for opening presents. 

M and T: Mom talked to us forever!

Then the kids had to wait for Brandon to get in place downstairs before they could go into the family room.

M and T: We were SOOOO excited!

The first look!

M: I was so excited I fainted.  T: Since M fainted, I did too!

Then in torture of all tortures, we forced the kids to stand by the presents for a photo before they were allowed to open them.  Traditionally M "needs" his presents to be on the side closest to the family room entrance, but he was understanding of the situation.

M and T:  We were SO excited!!!

Stocking are always opened first!  I am an expert stocking packer and can manage to get a lot in the stockings.  I have learned that I tend to accidentally over buy stocking stuffers.  This is a place that I can easily overspend.  Luckily I pick up a lot of fun things at Dollar Tree. 

Besides the stockings, the kids each get four gifts from us.  We do the classic "want/need/wear/read" technique and it works well. The kids also get to open presents from local "grandparents" and friends on Christmas morning.

T: Smell it, it really smells like strawberries!

T: It looks like a sucker, but it is really hair ties!

M: I love a good brainteaser puzzle!

T: Curt and Deb got me this cool sticker face book!

M: I read Luke 2 in my REAL Bible!

You will notice that T changed clothes while opening gifts!  She got some great dance outfits and needed to try them on!

T: I couldn't wait to see what was in here!

We got T a 9 Cube storage unit in pink that we are calling a "Barbie House."  We love that it is solid and that she can use it for more than just Barbie stuff.

T: My very own Barbie House to keep in my room!

M: I wonder what this is!

M: Wait, is it a real Basketball hoop thing with a real buzzer? !?!?!

About fourteen seconds after the picture above, M and Brandon were in the basement setting it up!

M: This is SO COOL!

T: I like it too!

While the kids were busy playing Basketball I prepped the candied bacon (bacon that you bake with maple syrup) and took a quick shower.  I timed it perfectly to flip the bacon and then dry my hair.  We all enjoyed a tasty breakfast of eggs and bacon.  The bacon was so good that I was almost crying when I tried it.  I HIGHLY recommend this tasty option for the next time you are craving bacon. After breakfast Brandon took his shower while the kids tried out T's new hair chalk.  

I need to just write a bit about the hair chalk.  It was awful!  It is colored grease. I thought it would be a chalk texture... you know... like the name!  Nope!  I purchased it for my daughter... WHY?!?!  The colors do show up on my kids hair so that is a plus, but the texture left behind is just gross. Fun idea, but I would not endorse this product!

M: Like my blue hair? 

T:  I can't wait to have pink hair!

After the hair makeover I went out and shoveled the sidewalk and driveway while the kids played more Basketball in the basement.  On a typical Christmas we would just spend the rest of the day playing and relaxing, but this year we had another exciting round of presents coming our way!  

My family arrived around 9:00 I think.  M was eager to show everyone his new gift!

M: I think Grandma Kathy liked it!

After the kids showed off all their new things they were VERY eager to open another round of presents.  

T: We had so many presents to open.  Cousin A was with us and that was fun too!

M: A book about drawing dogs!  This is awesome! 

T: I love it!  Can I keep it in my room???

Yay!  My mom was taking photos.  One of Brandon!!

M got lots of art/drawing supplies for Christmas.  He got a really cool book of set by step instructions for  sketches of many things in his stocking and a real sketch pad in his "need" gift, along with some other art stuff.  He also got more sketch pads from some friends along with an awesome pencil and paint set.  He was thrilled.  My parents gave him a book that taught how to draw dogs.  He spent a lot of the day sketching!

M: These are my first dogs ever!

After the presents were opened the girls were playing happily and the adults were talking and M was happily sketching a Santa.

T: I let A wear one of my new dance dresses.  It is still a little big for me!

M: I had no idea that sketching was this much fun. 

M: It takes a lot of focus and concentration. 

My parents gave me a very special gift this year.  I have been asking my dad about making me some benches for a while.  We have large groups of people here for potlucks and benches are great space savers.  You can fit three on a bench vs. two on chairs.  They also take up less space and allow more room for people to move between tables.  Anyway, my dad decided to make me a very special bench for Christmas.  My dad spent several months taking apart a granary at my grandma's house.  The granary was very old and used pegs instead of nails!  He was able to rescue and sell some of the barn wood beams to people eager to try out their pinterest skills. He used pieces of this special granary wood to make me a bench.  I know it took him so many, many hours to complete.  I feel so blessed by this gift.  The significance of the wood and the time my dad spent with it make it one of the most special things I own.  Thanks Dad!

I am so thankful for him... and the new bench. 

M finished his Santa drawing as we were taking the above photo.  He came and showed us.  I love the photo below as my dad and I check out the finished product.

M: So, what do you think? 

M: They loved it!

By 11:15 my parents brother and niece were on their way back home. Our niece A was eager to see her mom and excited to celebrate her 4th Birthday on the 26th! 

After everyone left we picked things up a bit and ate some very tasty leftover meatballs for lunch.  After lunch the kids watched Polar Express while I did laundry and packing for our Christmas Roadtrip. 

After the movie T was eager to take her "little bed" (toddler bed) out of her room so that her Barbie house could go in its place.  This was a big decision for our daughter and we were very proud of her.

This is really happening!

T: I was a great helper!

T: I couldn't believe how much space was in my room without that bed in there!

M: While T took apart her bed, I was painting my Santa! 

T and I spent a long time in her room setting everything up.  It was all quite thrilling for her! Brandon and M spent A LOT of time in the basement playing Basketball.  Brandon said that M would hug him between games and thank him for the gift!  Such sweet and joyful memories!

M: The games go very fast!

M: Daddy gives me a little head start!

M: I loved my new gift!

We had a very good Christmas Day.  There were some hard times here and there, but there was much laughter and much joy.  Every year I am SO VERY THANKFUL for our Christmas Day at home.  Our season leading up to Christmas is so taxing and this year was especially taxing.  It was such a gift to our family to have the day together.  I was still up pretty late folding clothes and packing food etc, but not as late as Christmas Eve.  

It might take a few days, but the Christmas Roadtrip post is in the works and will be up soon!