Oh, what fun it was!
Because they aren't yet to that 'can't sleep we're so excited about Christmas' age just yet, the kids woke up at their usual time Christmas morning. Once we reminded David what day it was, he quickly remembered and wanted to hurry down stairs. Rachael was excited because David was excited. Before we went to see what Santa brought, we all four snuggled in bed and read a short book about the birth of Jesus. It's very important to us that David and Rachael understand the true meaning and purpose of Christmas. It seemed this year David began to understand that it's baby Jesus' birthday and that's why Santa gives them gifts. That's why when we visited with Santa, we asked him to bring each child three gifts- just like baby Jesus received from the wise men. We had a small discussion after we finished the book, then the excitement ensued again.
We have gates at the top and bottom of our stairs, so it was easy to prevent them from heading down the stairs too soon. The kids and I waited as patiently as we possibly could at the top of the stairs as Ryan went downstairs to check if and what Santa brought. [This is a tradition Bing started and Ryan wanted to carrying on]. Ryan saw the living room filled with toys and we could hear him talking.
"Oooooh, David, I think you're going to love what Santa brought you!"
"Awww, Rachael, I can't wait to see your face when you see what's here for you!"
David was screaming and jumping up and down with excitement, he could hardly wait any longer. Rachael didn't know what was going on, but she knew her Daddy was downstairs and she was trapped upstairs with David screaming, so she was ready to go too.
David's number one item on his list was a train. All Christmas season if you asked him what he wanted Santa to bring him, he always said, "a frain." [yes, a frain]. Second, was a garbage truck like the one he and I saw at a store around Thanksgiving. He really wanted it, but I told him he could ask Santa for it. I didn't think he would actually remember to, but he did. There was no third thing, only two.
As Ryan was investigating the kids' Christmas treasures David kept yelling, "See mine frain, Daddy?! See mine frain?!"
Finally it was time for the three of us to come down the stairs. I have never seen David move so fast, and that's saying a lot. As we rounded the corner into the living room, David saw the Christmas morning scene and was in shock. He didn't talk for the longest time. He just evaluated everything, even Rachael's gifts. Rachael, on the other hand, couldn't decide what she wanted to play with first. She was everywhere. David would let out the occasional, "hmm." as he meandered around the room.
Rachael's side
David's side
Finally, after a minute or two, Ryan asked him, "Do you like it, Buddy?" To which David responded, "YES!!"
Once he was able to take it all in David played with everything.
First, the kids mostly stuck with their own toys.
David loved his train up on a train table that Santa made by himself just for David.
And somehow Santa knew that David broke his old bow and brought him a new one for his third gift!
He was also excited to see his garbage truck under the tree, but it turns out I didn't get a picture of him playing with it.
Rachael got a pretty pink tricycle that she wanted to ride immediately
Her first Cabbage Patch doll
And a talking tea set
Then they had to check out each others gifts too.
Because they aren't yet to that 'can't sleep we're so excited about Christmas' age just yet, the kids woke up at their usual time Christmas morning. Once we reminded David what day it was, he quickly remembered and wanted to hurry down stairs. Rachael was excited because David was excited. Before we went to see what Santa brought, we all four snuggled in bed and read a short book about the birth of Jesus. It's very important to us that David and Rachael understand the true meaning and purpose of Christmas. It seemed this year David began to understand that it's baby Jesus' birthday and that's why Santa gives them gifts. That's why when we visited with Santa, we asked him to bring each child three gifts- just like baby Jesus received from the wise men. We had a small discussion after we finished the book, then the excitement ensued again.
We have gates at the top and bottom of our stairs, so it was easy to prevent them from heading down the stairs too soon. The kids and I waited as patiently as we possibly could at the top of the stairs as Ryan went downstairs to check if and what Santa brought. [This is a tradition Bing started and Ryan wanted to carrying on]. Ryan saw the living room filled with toys and we could hear him talking.
"Oooooh, David, I think you're going to love what Santa brought you!"
"Awww, Rachael, I can't wait to see your face when you see what's here for you!"
David was screaming and jumping up and down with excitement, he could hardly wait any longer. Rachael didn't know what was going on, but she knew her Daddy was downstairs and she was trapped upstairs with David screaming, so she was ready to go too.
David's number one item on his list was a train. All Christmas season if you asked him what he wanted Santa to bring him, he always said, "a frain." [yes, a frain]. Second, was a garbage truck like the one he and I saw at a store around Thanksgiving. He really wanted it, but I told him he could ask Santa for it. I didn't think he would actually remember to, but he did. There was no third thing, only two.
As Ryan was investigating the kids' Christmas treasures David kept yelling, "See mine frain, Daddy?! See mine frain?!"
Finally it was time for the three of us to come down the stairs. I have never seen David move so fast, and that's saying a lot. As we rounded the corner into the living room, David saw the Christmas morning scene and was in shock. He didn't talk for the longest time. He just evaluated everything, even Rachael's gifts. Rachael, on the other hand, couldn't decide what she wanted to play with first. She was everywhere. David would let out the occasional, "hmm." as he meandered around the room.
Rachael's side
David's side
Finally, after a minute or two, Ryan asked him, "Do you like it, Buddy?" To which David responded, "YES!!"
Once he was able to take it all in David played with everything.
First, the kids mostly stuck with their own toys.
David loved his train up on a train table that Santa made by himself just for David.
And somehow Santa knew that David broke his old bow and brought him a new one for his third gift!
He was also excited to see his garbage truck under the tree, but it turns out I didn't get a picture of him playing with it.
Rachael got a pretty pink tricycle that she wanted to ride immediately
Her first Cabbage Patch doll
And a talking tea set
Then they had to check out each others gifts too.
Even Mama and Daddy were invited to play
At some point, amid all the excitement, the kids remembered to see if Santa liked the cookies they left out for him. It would appear that he did.
After we played for a little while it was breakfast time. My sister-in-law, Aunt Laureen, shared this very easy and delicious Christmas morning cinnamon roll recipe with me a few years ago. They are assembled the night before then put in the oven while everyone is enjoying their gifts. They are warm and gooey and yummy.
The kids ate quickly and returned to playing as soon as possible.
After Rachael's morning nap, it was time to inspect their stocking goodies.
The candy was the biggest hit
Oh! And don't forget about Bogie. He had a stocking too, and was very excited to see what was inside
Then it was present time!! David was a big helper at passing out everyone's gifts.
You may remember that David's school setup a store for each student to shop in for their family members. They wrapped the gifts for the kids and sent them home with them. These were the gifts I was most excited about. I couldn't wait to see what David had chosen, especially since his teacher said he was the only one who knew exactly what he wanted. We opened those gifts first. And I must say, for a 2 1/2 year old, he did a GREAT job picking out presents for each us.
I opened mine first.
A very wise choice for a Mama who has very long hair. I love them.
Next was Rachael.
For her David chose the perfect gift- the cutest set of two yellow cups with bumblebee face tops and a coordinating yellow spoon. He knows his sister well. If it has to do with eating, she loves it.
Last, and best, was Daddy.
A tin of Danish cookies. Not exactly sure what David was thinking here. We've never had one of these tins in our house. Ever. But, still it's the thought that counts. Ryan's face is priceless.
Thank you for our gifts, sweet boy.
Finally we opened the rest of our presents. The kids got a few toys.
Rachael got a bottle for her new baby doll.
And a broom and dust pan.
And this little baby doll that she absolutely loves now.
[and Mama got a cute apron just like she asked for]
David got lots of great things too, but his favorite are these binoculars, or "nock-nocks" as he calls them. My favorite picture of him from Christmas morning.
And not to be out done by the cuteness above, here's my favorite Christmas picture of Rachael- her way of smiling these days.
As we do every year we tried to take a nice Christmas Day family picture. Here are the two best.
It's amazing to see how much our family has changed since last year and the year before.
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