We had a very Merry Christmas with the three little elves above – but, as you can imagine with those three, it was very busy. They’re all at a fun age where they are active and interested in the world, but pretty much require constant supervision. They’re also all going in three different directions at the same time. Like the picture above, despite my many, many attempts it was the only time I got a picture with all three kiddos. And that was only because Clare literally held onto Sam. The next picture in the series has a blurry Sam escaping his sister’s grip.
We went to visit Santa on Christmas Eve at the downtown Macy’s. It was a great time to go because no one was there. Macy’s has a big Christmas display, including a tiny train that the kids can climb in and a model railway they can watch. We played there for an hour before we wandered over to see the big man himself.
I have to say that it’s our most successful Santa visit yet! Maddy wouldn’t have anything to do with him, but Clare said hi to him, sat on his lap and Sam tolerated the whole thing. They didn’t tell him what they wanted for Christmas, but that was OK because earlier when I asked Clare what she would ask Santa for she told me “I will ask him for a cow. A real one, not a toy.” I was grateful not to have to disappoint her.
It’s not a holiday in our family without food. Lots and lots of food. We spent hours on preparing meals and then a fair amount of time is spent eating them. We take our food very seriously. J was charged with Christmas Eve dinner. OK, maybe our family was given Christmas Eve dinner… but that really means J since I’m not known for my elaborate meals. He started planning a Spanish-themed dinner complete with paella, rioja and tapas of cured meats a week before. And it was delicious.
JP and Debbie made Christmas brunch for us, complete with homemade cinnamon rolls, and Mom and Dad made prime rib for Christmas dinner. It was delish.
Not that the kids noticed. They were to busy opening presents and playing with their new toys. We always open the presents from family on Christmas Eve night. This year we let the kids open theirs, put them to bed with promises of Santa Claus, and then opened our gifts to each other after they were down.
One of under-the-tree gift highlights included Clare’s new dollhouse! This is the dollhouse that my grandfather made for me as a girl, and that my grandmother decorated. Mom and Dad fixed it up for Clare and we gave it to her… out in the garage so that the little kids didn’t bother it. Then we let her play with it for a little while out there by herself. She LOVED it and can’t wait until its set up in her bedroom.
 |
| Yep, the kids are in bed and it’s time to relax. |
Then Santa Claus came and loaded the living room full of toys for good little girls and boys. Christmas morning was fun as the kids explored their toys in matching jammies.
 |
| Well, Sam explored his toys for a while… and then found the Tupperware drawer and played in that for 20 minutes. |
Phew… and Christmas is over! It was wonderful, but the kids slept in until 9 am on December 26. I think we all needed a little post-Christmas relaxation. Until next year Mr. Claus!
