Preparing for Christmas was fun this year! Claira still didn't get it, but Jacob was really into it this year. We did St. Nick's Day and the Elf on the Shelf, made Christmas cookies, and learned some Christmas songs like Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bells, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Jacob had his first Christmas program in preschool. He was the sheep in their Nativity. We think he may have started out as a wise man, but got demoted for bad behavior. At least he wasn't scenery I guess :)
On Christmas Eve, we finished making Christmas cookies and got all dressed up for Mass. I had us in coordinating outfits, of course. Jacob and Greg wore black suits, white shirts, and bright red ties (Jacob's was actually a satin ribbon that Greg tied to look like a tie). Luke wore a black velvet baby suit with a white shirt. Claira had a black velvet sleeveless dress, with a white blouse and white tights. I wore a black sleeveless dress with a red ribbon tied around my waist. Yes, it matched Jacob's ribbon. Why did I have to describe the outfits in detail? We were supposed to get our perfect Christmas picture after Mass, but Luke had a major spit up session that ruined his little suit. He had to be changed into his backup outfit (xmas pjs) at the beginning of Mass. We never got our picture. Boo hoo!
Anyway, after Mass we braved our way through the blizzard that had descended upon our city, and made our way out to the Moore's house. Aunt Monica, Uncle Matt, Cousin Liam, Cousin Maya, Mema, and Papa Tom were there. We had a yummy Mexican feast and a present extravaganza. Then we got an unexpected visit from Santa himself! He came bearing gifts of candy for the kids. I told Claira to tell him Thank You and she bravely went a bit closer to him, said, "Tanks, Clause," and didn't go near him again. Jacob wondered aloud where Uncle Matt had gone (uh...getting ice, it was finally decided), and then pushed past Santa and said, "Come on Liam, let's go play in your room." At least we got a picture of Luke and Jacob on Santa's lap. Claira stayed far away.
The kids were excited to open their presents on Christmas morning. Jacob got a light saber and transformer, among other things, and Claira got kitchen dishes and pretend food. Luke was gifted with clothes and a rattle. Claira refused to open any presents after she had opened the first. We figured out later that she thought we would take away her first present if she opened any others.
After we opened gifts as a family, the Cotter family came over (Grandma Diane, Papa Steve, Uncle Stephen, and Aunt Cammy). We had Christmas brunch and then opened more presents! Uncle Stephen put together Luke's new bouncer and we listened to the book on tape that Cammy and Stephen made for the kids. We finished off Christmas at Aunt Donna's house with a yummy turkey dinner.
We had such a fun Christmas this year! I can't wait for next year when the kids are a little older. I was a little disappointed that Jacob got a little present greedy, tossing presents aside in search of another one. Maybe next year we need to work more on being grateful for what you have instead of always wanting more. But then, I finally posted about Christmas, and skipped Thanksgiving completely. Hmmm.
No comments:
Post a Comment