This Christmas was the first where our kids were really excited about the big ol’ red suited guy making his rounds. They were early to put in their requests. They have no concept of the value of the dollar at their ages, so there were no barriers in those requests either. Our eldest was definitive about his request for a “real†microphone and a bounce house. Our youngest wanted a knight sword and shield and a light saber. This year we were visited by an Elf on the Shelf, named “Cutie Clancyâ€. The kids looked forward to finding their seasonal friend each morning.
We did our fair share of viewing all the festive lights this year. There were even some really great homes on display close to our house. Brian decided to add to our outdoor lights as well. We made the conversion to LED lights. Red, white, and green. Along with some light up lawn décor. Since we had the joy of viewing the displays of others the kids started putting their votes in for what they wanted us to add to our display for next year. “I want a Santa and his sleigh that plays musicâ€, chimed Blake.
We tried our best to instill the reason for Christmas and to make it more about giving than receiving. Blake started understanding the importance of helping others. Our hope is to try to find more ways to incorporate giving as a year long project. I guess that makes for a New Years resolution!
We started the tradition of opening brother gifts on Christmas Eve after church. The boys exchanged one gift they purchased to surprise each other. It went pretty well this year. Minus the enthusiasm it generated for both of them which transferred over to wanting to stay “wide eyed†and alert for the Big Guy’s arrival.
On Christmas eve we made cookies for Santa and put out a few snacks for our busy traveler. The next morning the kids awoke to their many surprises. The kiddos tried to take turns opening gifts, but started getting ahead of themselves. Brayden even opened up one of this brother’s gifts. Good thing Blake did not mind. We decided to stay home this Christmas instead of traveling and as such, had a “lazy†play, eat, and veg Christmas. We even were lucky enough to have a significant snow fall on Christmas day, about 4 inches. Along with getting some pent-up energy out in Blake’s new bounce house they got to have a round of snowball fights and hot chocolate sipping.
We hope you and yours had a happy holiday! Until this time next year.. Best wishes!