…this baby made the angels sing,
And this baby made a new star shine in the sky.
This baby had come to change the world.
This baby was God’s own son, this baby was like no other one.
This baby was God with us, this baby was Jesus.
~Steven Curtis Chapman, This Baby
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It’s no secret. I love Christmas! I took hundreds of pictures in 48 hours! Even though I am already enjoying looking back on them, and reliving the special moments, don’t worry. I won’t subject you to all of them. But, here is just a little glimpse into our family Christmas Celebrations…
Yes, celebrations. Plural. We kind of like to celebrate.
We started with a lovely Christmas Eve service with our dear church family. (Yes. We consider them family…because, they are!)
Later, that afternoon, Jason’s parents (known to the kids as Grammy and Grampy) came over for dinner and presents! Although I spent a good portion of the 23rd cooking, in preparation for our meal, in the many pictures I took, not one is of our Christmas dinner. Oh well. Next year. Maybe.
Grammy and Grampy picked out some fun things for the Stockings that they gave the kids. Duck masks, finger lights, candy, stamps and stamp pads, stickers, light up tops, chapstick, and fun characters… I almost think the kids would have been perfectly satisfied to end the gift opening there… Almost.
There were Lots of Legos: Police, Lego Friends, and American Girl. Rebekah was so excited when she opened her very own American Girl “legos”. Rachel got a broom, mop, and duster. And, I am going to have the cleanest house in town if this little girl gets her way! Titus has been begging for a real watch for weeks. He couldn’t have been more excited to get a Spider-Man watch! (Unfortunately, the battery died shortly after he opened it…and he cannot wait until we can get it fixed so he can tell time.)Â And, Hannah got a digital camera! You all think I take a lot of pictures? I have competition! I think she might have taken as many pictures as I did during our Christmas celebrations!
***
Christmas Morning is our family celebration.
{Christmas Morning}
Even though we don’t “do” the Santa thing, I always wait until after the kids go to bed on Christmas Eve to put any gifts under the tree. So, I always love seeing their faces light up when they come downstairs and see what “appeared” overnight!
Stockings are always first… I had so much fun finding stocking stuffers this year. I may have gone a little overboard, as it was difficult to fit everything in. (And we do not have small stockings!!)
We took a break between the stockings and the presents for breakfast. For the past several years I’ve been looking for alternatives to the easy make-ahead, overnight casseroles that I used to make. (Titus is allergic to eggs, so anything egg-based is out.) Biscuits have become our standard “special occasion” breakfast. It isn’t fancy, but, since it isn’t something we have very often, the kids love them! Jason’s dad sent us a gift of cinnamon rolls, so I added those to our morning menu at the last minute, as a special treat!
I know that Christmas isn’t about the gifts. But, I love to find special items for my family…and I love to see the joy on my children’s (and husband’s) faces when they open up a fun surprise, or something that they have wanted…
One of the things I love most about our Christmas morning is how the kids take their time opening gifts. We take turns…watching each person. They pause, and look at each present…stopping to read books, carefully examining each toy, or even trying on clothing…before moving on to the next gift. And, there were many smiles, squeals, and hugs.
This was my favorite moment of the day!
It just so perfectly captured what I imagine when I think of Christmas Morning.
Because we had enjoyed our “fancy” meal the day before, the rest of the day was very relaxed. Everyone got to enjoy their new toys and books. And, the dining room and coffee table were Lego construction zones!!
Later in the afternoon, Grandma and Boppy came over!
I had some very excited kids… Grandma and Boppy found some fun play food for the play kitchen. We enjoyed an assortment of sandwiches, hamburgers, fruit, and played “guess the ingredients” with our little chefs. In keeping with the cleaning theme, Rachel got a vacuum cleaner! I am not exaggerating when I say this girl loves doing housework with me. Titus got 2 3-in-1 Lego sets…one was a truck, a rocket, and an airplane. The other had a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, and a Pterodactyl. He could not decide which dinosaur to build first! Hannah spent the time looking way too grown up…especially opening gifts from Bath and Body Works. But, I love that she still squealed like a little girl when she got a barn for her horses. And, Grandma and Boppy found some fun blankets for the kids. The girls each got a Mermaid-Tail, in their favorite color (pink for Rachel, Aqua for Hannah, and Purple for Rebekah). And Titus got a Shark-Tail!
My cozy Mermaids and Shark Boy enjoying A Charlie Brown Christmas before bed.
We really did have a wonderful Christmas this year. I hope you all did too!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a Good Night!