It's hard for me to believe Christmas has once again come and gone. Hard to believe until I look at the new toys scattered about on our floor, kitchen table, couches, and boxes stacked on the dining room table containing toys we haven't even played with yet. The boys got SO MUCH STUFF. As Jeff likes to say every year, "we made out like bandits."
I'd been anticipating the boys' reactions to many of their gifts, and their excitement did not disappoint. They are genuinely happy with what they received. All of us are. Our families were not only generous, but put so much thought into their gifts for us. And we're so appreciative. And we're enjoying the heck out of playing.
Growing up, my family's Christmas morning tradition was to get up early after a long night of waking up every hour to excitedly look at the clock- well, that was my tradition. After waking up the rest of the sleepyheads, we kids would wait at the top of the stairs while my grandfather (Papa) finished his meticulous grooming and shaving routine before we could go look at our gifts. And after scoping out Santa's surprises for us, we'd eat omelets cooked to order by my Dad, open gifts from each other, and look through our stockings. We'd wish family in Wisconsin a Merry Christmas by phone, and spend the rest of the day at home, playing with our new things and maybe even napping.
Fast forward to present day. Our Christmas Day was a frenzy of activity. We were up at 7:15, checked out the loot from Santa, opened gifts from each other, looked through our stockings, ate cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and then had to begin (quickly) getting ready to head to Nan & Pop's house for Christmas Round 2. Then later in the afternoon, we would be driving from their house to the lake to celebrate Christmas Round 3 with Grandmom & Granddad. It was a long, tiring, busy day. I know people who make it a point not to leave their house on Christmas Day, and do all celebrating with family before or after the big day. And I can understand that. But, as exhausting as the day was, it sure was a lot of fun, and we enjoy being with our families.
Here are some snapshots that give a glimpse into our day.
Santa's response to the note we left him on Christmas Eve. He even took several bites of heavily sprinkled sugar cookies. Jacob noticed crumbs in Santa's milk glass and informed us that Santa must like to dunk his cookies.
Santa's stash. Even Hailey had a couple of gifts left for her.
Stockings are exciting!!! Especially when it's your very first one!!! Will's expression requires a lot of exclamation marks!!!
Thank you hugs were given for the gifts they gave one another (Jacob gave Alex a Commander Cody action figure, and Alex gave Jacob an Iron Man figure he'd been asking for.).
Action figures had to be opened and new toys had to be played with immediately.
A few of their favorite gifts:
(Alex was absolutely ecstatic to receive several Star Wars Clone Wars action figures. And I'm absolutely ecstatic about my new part-time job of keeping up with teeny tiny helmets & light sabers.)
Moving on to Christmas Part II...
Because of the flurry of activity at Nan & Pop's, and because I was trying to just enjoy the experience without a camera, I took about 5 pictures total. It pretty much looked like this the whole time we were there, except there was more wrapping paper on the floor.
Just like every year, my Dad made us specialty omelets. And as always, they were delicious (mine had cheese, spinach, mushroom, sausage, and bacon). And for little boys whose palettes preferred something a little more simplistic, Pop made delicious scrambled eggs with cheese.
Every so often at Nan & Pop's, Nan pulls a denim Batman jacket from the closet and we let Jacob try it on. It belonged to Uncle Chris when he was about 5 or 6 years old. And finally on Christmas Day, it fit. Remembering how gigantic it used to be on him made me tear up a bit. But he loved modeling the cool jacket, especially because it used to belong to his cool Uncle Chris.
Alex asked me to take a picture of him and he copied Jacob's waving pose. Speaking of cool clothing, Alex loved his new Clone Wars shirt from Santa.
Two differences from last year's Christmas with Nan and Pop: my nephew, Camden, is no longer an infant, and was up roaming around and playing with his new gifts. Second difference: this year, the boys can read their names on the gift tags. No longer is it necessary to distribute their gifts. Alex was like a machine finding all of the presents with his & Jacob's name, and was done opening his gifts long before anyone else.
For the boys, there were clothes and an abundance of toys, including action figures, puzzles, and awesome arts & crafts set with contents Nan hand picked.
Later in the afternoon, we went on our way to the 3rd round of Christmas celebrations with Grandmom, Granddad, Nani, Aunt Tricia, Uncle Scott, and cousins, Daniel & Lainey.
What's Will watching with such intensity?
That would be chaos. Everyone talking at once, torn wrapping paper tossed aside, shouts of, "Look what I got!", and high-pitched squeals of delight. The sounds of Christmas made even louder when four kids are involved. But watching my kids experience Christmas make the holiday even more exciting than when I was a little girl.
Once he was done eating, Will got to take part in it.
All 3 boys got a pillow pet. Jacob and Alex have been asking for one since the summer, and sneaky Aunt Tricia ordered them back in July. Jacob wanted a tiger, Alex wanted a bumblebee, and I chose a monkey for Will. Because he's one of my little monkeys.
At Daniel's birthday party in September, Grandmom noticed Alex's obsession with Daniel's Star Wars Clone Wars Legos. And she promised him she'd get him some for Christmas. She stayed true to her word, getting him not just one box, but three. Does he look excited?
They loved every minute they spent opening gifts.
And then it was time to play!
And love on Daddy.
Alex loves his cousins' Santa hat that sings and "dances".
Will was not as big of a fan. But it amuses his parents when he wears it.
As we drove back home on Christmas night (watching snow & sleet begin to fall- a white Christmas!), and after the boys stopped their excited chattering to settle down, the van was quiet and dark. All of us were exhausted. And Jacob, feeling the Christmas spirit after such a wonderful day, said contentedly, "I really love the world. And Jesus and God."
We should all feel that way every day, but Christmas has a way of making the sentiment especially pronounced. As I turned around to tell him how sweet that was, he added, "And I love rainbows. And ponytails."
A perfect way to sum up the day.
