The anticipation for Christmas has been building...visiting with Santa, reading a lot of Christmas books, watching the classics (Rudolph, Frosty, Charlie Brown, etc.), singing Christmas carols, and finally, putting out the milk and cookies for Santa (and a carrot for Rudolph). We've been getting ready for this moment, and now it's here. Merry Christmas!
Stanley couldn't wait for Santa to come down the chimney, but honestly he was getting a little weirded out by it last night. Matt made a thump from the other room, and Stanley said, "Mommy, what's that noise?" I said, "I think it's daddy." And Stanley said, "No! It's Santa Claus!" So I suggested we should go peek in the chimney to check if it's him. He ran to me and hugged my legs and said, "No! No!" I guess the idea of a stranger breaking into our house is a little scary, but the fact that he brings presents makes it all better.
When Stanley woke up this morning, he was very excited to see his presents. We had to wait a few minutes for him to get out of bed, so his daddy could set up the video camera. When he finally came out of his room dragging his fuzzy truck blanket, he started pointing at all the presents. Then he noticed that the carrot and cookies had been eaten. "Mommy! Rudolph ate my carrot!"
After opening almost every present he yelled, "Just what I wanted!" He got two helicopters, a truck matching game, Thomas tracks and trains, books, a fire truck puzzle, flashlight, harmonica, new Eric Carle bike helmet and matching horn, Thomas slippers and shirt, Magna Doodle, and Hot Wheels and case. He also got the specific toy he requested from Santa in person and letter: a blue police car with a button that you push to say "Weee Oooo! Weee Oooo!"
We ate homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast, he played and played with all his toys, and then he went outside to ride his bike with his new helmet. Unfortunately the horn broke with the first crash. He came inside for lunch and quickly took a nap.
Thank you to everyone for calling, mailing presents and cards, and sending us love from so many places around the country. We love all our friends and family and feel lucky to have you as part of our lives. Unfortunately, we don't get to see each other in person as much as we'd like, but you are in our thoughts more than you know. Merry Christmas!
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| The night before Christmas... |
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| Just waking up and seeing his presents for the first time |
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| Opening the first present |
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| Playing with his new Cranky crane |
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| Too busy for a picture |
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| The aftermath |
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| Breakfast! |
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| Sleepy Christmas kid |
