Merry Christmas! We couldn't all fit on the blow-up mattress (safely), so our traditional Christmas morning photo was taken in the living room. We took one of the kids with their stocking on the couch next to our bed for the weekend though ;-)
Santa and Ralphie gifts were quickly discovered on the coffee table next to half eaten cookies and milk... James helped Cora read the packages so she'd know which ones were hers.
Cora had asked Santa for Zoomer Kitty. Then Calico Critters. Then Zoomer Kitty. Apparently both Santa AND Ralphie thought that she'd get the most fun out of Calico Critters. She was so excited to find them under the wrapping paper and couldn't wait to free the babies from their packaging!
My friend Sarah sent me photos of the Christmas letters the kids had written at school (unbeknownst to us, the paper printed each and every kids' letter in town, from all the schools, verbatim, in the Christmas Eve Post).
(his handwriting is particularly hard to decipher, so I give them props)
James was so excited when he uncovered the first tiny corner of his Santa gift and realized that it was a Lego Dimensions box that his hands were shaking as he tried to get the paper off the rest of the package, then open Ralphie's gift (which was another, smaller, Dimensions set - a Fun Pack). That right there is what made my morning. Christmas is not about the gifts, obviously, but what a sweet bonus to make a kid so happy that he's practically in tears?
We all opened our stockings together. And if you can't tell for yourself, that is Darth Vader Yule Log Fire burning on the TV...
Cora always goes for the candy first... There was a slight pause to ask permission, but I told her to go for it. One of the things I always loved about Christmas as a kid was that my parents let me enjoy my Christmas candy as I pleased, so I do the same for my kids (though James barely touches his and it lasts for weeks, whereas Cora's is normally gone in a week or less, chocolate by the end of the second day!)
I loved when they paused to look through new books (even the non-literary Trolls Seek-N-Find)
Flinging flamingos across Gramma's porch...
Jay and I generally don't do big gifts for each other (just small, fun items that fit into a stocking - like candy and Scotch), but there are usually a couple surprises under the tree each year. When I found FatBoys on sale at The Clymb, I couldn't resist!
This was another one of James' favorite gifts: MineCraft Stop Action Movie Maker
Cora definitely loved her new Critters best, but the Trolls were a hit too!
And what would a day at Gramma's house be without a trip to the beach?!
It was cold, in wet swimsuits, at least. Gained myself some snugglers!
Last day at the beach means they must pose for the requisite 18th Street photo:
Lots of dune loss during Hurricane Matthew a couple months ago...
Merry Christmas to all!
