The pitter-patter of feet down the hall let us know that Christmas was at hand! And it came in a big way this morning, as Madison whispered in Mommy's ears - while in bed: "Santa left us a whole lot of things!"
He certainly did! We went downstairs and right away Madison noticed the milk was gone, as were some of the Christmas cookies we made. Also, she noted outside where pieces of the carrots on the front lawn. Santa had come, and left us some presents as well!
We snapped a few pictures this morning, but stopped when Nana and Ba-Ba called from the beach at Florida. They called on Skype, so we could see the beach from here - but more importantly, they could sit and watch Madison open presents as well! Daddy served as a camera director, and it was somewhat like having them there with us this morning. So one by one, Madison opened her presents - and got just about everything on her list she wrote to Santa a few months ago. She has a good memory about that list, and noted that the things she did not get Santa was good enough to replace with bigger and larger things. Which is in fact what happened. Madison got some Monster High dolls first thing this morning, but then she got some Disney Infinity 2.0 characters, lots of candy, board games, and a lot of "Frozen" things. Along those lines, Mommy got a "Frozen" themed egg slicer.
Daddy made that one up, actually, redesigning the packaging and making it into a joke product. But it still an egg slicer, of course. It's just that this year, everything is related to "Frozen," from Scrabble to snow cone makers to lipstick and other items not actually seen in the movie. Madison was not complaining in the slightest.
Daddy made that one up, actually, redesigning the packaging and making it into a joke product. But it still an egg slicer, of course. It's just that this year, everything is related to "Frozen," from Scrabble to snow cone makers to lipstick and other items not actually seen in the movie. Madison was not complaining in the slightest.
Mommy also got a new broom - one just like the brooms they used in Beijing when we went in 2008. It's a simple bit of straw tied together at one end, but the look of the thing is unusual enough that we'd never seen one before. Furthermore, Daddy practically had to go down to Atlanta to get it. However, the item itself was only $3.00, so it was quite a surprise there. If they knew how much I wanted one, they'd have charged more - it's a sentimental souvenir. On a practical level, it'll be useful for the back deck. Mommy also needed a new toaster for her gluten-free items. We can't have cross-contamination, so she's got herself a new toaster now. Daddy got "Guardians of the Galaxy" which we watched later that night - and another movie gem that Daddy has always wanted to see: "Condorman." Yep, it's probably not that good, but nevertheless, Daddy has always wanted to see it. I think it is something from childhood, perhaps. Along those lines, another gift for Mommy was a wealth of Crunchie bars - these are from England, quite hard to come by around here. That makes them more wanted though!
Anyway, the Christmas music was playing and the wrapping paper was everywhere in a glorious mess. We were quite content this morning, sitting in the great room as the sun came out to reveal itself for the first time in a few days. The tree looks so nice there, and everything was finally so relaxing - we were quite content to sit there in each other's company for a few hours this morning, checking out the gifts we'd given each other. Madison, of course, got the most. She had a few gifts under the tree upstairs, some "Frozen" coloring books and craft kits. Santa left her some movies too, including "Mr. Peabody and Sherman," which we watched later that night. We somehow squeezed in two movies tonight, although Madison wasn't awake for the second one.
Early this afternoon, we went over to Nana and Ye-Ye's house, which was very nice as always. Before heading there, Mommy baked her special Christmas cake. It is a birthday cake for Jesus, as today is in fact his birthday. It's a sweet thing to do, a reminder to all of us why we celebrate this day in the first place. That can get lost in the excitement of Christmas, and Mommy does a great job of slowing things down enough so we all remember the real reason for the season.
In addition to the cake, there was a huge meal at Nana and Ye-Ye's house, and GGMa brought the big feast from White County. We had everyone there this time, which made for quite a crowd - but it was a happy occasion. Madison got overwhelmed by a project that Ye-Ye has been working on this entire month: a mansion for her Monster High dolls. It has two floors, a bridge and an extension, and a lot of furniture as well. Up until this point, she has about six of these dolls - but that number is about to increase as she does her piano practice throughout the year. Don't tell her that, but Hannah has donated all her dolls to Madison - and she'll be earning them one at a time as the weeks go by upcoming. She'll also be earning some more Disney Infinity 2.0 stuff, but that will stretch on probably until the summer.
We did our traditional white elephant exchange, where everyone got different gag gifts. The creepy clown made a comeback for his third visit, but so did the movie "The Christmas Shoes," which got passed around like a virus. We came home with a dancing Easter bunny that just doesn't stop singing. Yes, he'll be back in a few months. That much is certain.
We stayed at their house for a few hours, talking and eating and opening presents. There were lots of presents for the kids, but also a few surprises for the grown-ups as well. We left as it was starting to get dark, heading home with our treasures after wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. We'll see each other together in a week or so, on New Year's Day. But parting on this day is indeed sweet sorrow.
We got home, and movies awaited. We just wanted to shut down at this point, sitting on the couch under blankets with a fire in the fireplace, watching some of our new movies. And that we did, until we were ready to turn in for the night. It was another merry Christmas!
In addition to the cake, there was a huge meal at Nana and Ye-Ye's house, and GGMa brought the big feast from White County. We had everyone there this time, which made for quite a crowd - but it was a happy occasion. Madison got overwhelmed by a project that Ye-Ye has been working on this entire month: a mansion for her Monster High dolls. It has two floors, a bridge and an extension, and a lot of furniture as well. Up until this point, she has about six of these dolls - but that number is about to increase as she does her piano practice throughout the year. Don't tell her that, but Hannah has donated all her dolls to Madison - and she'll be earning them one at a time as the weeks go by upcoming. She'll also be earning some more Disney Infinity 2.0 stuff, but that will stretch on probably until the summer.
We did our traditional white elephant exchange, where everyone got different gag gifts. The creepy clown made a comeback for his third visit, but so did the movie "The Christmas Shoes," which got passed around like a virus. We came home with a dancing Easter bunny that just doesn't stop singing. Yes, he'll be back in a few months. That much is certain.
We stayed at their house for a few hours, talking and eating and opening presents. There were lots of presents for the kids, but also a few surprises for the grown-ups as well. We left as it was starting to get dark, heading home with our treasures after wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. We'll see each other together in a week or so, on New Year's Day. But parting on this day is indeed sweet sorrow.
We got home, and movies awaited. We just wanted to shut down at this point, sitting on the couch under blankets with a fire in the fireplace, watching some of our new movies. And that we did, until we were ready to turn in for the night. It was another merry Christmas!
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