I wasn't quite sure what Eliza was expecting to happen on Christmas morning. On Christmas Eve, she told me that she had to clean her room so that she could show Santa how clean her room was. I was happy that she wanted to clean her room, but I wasn't sure if she was expecting to actually see Santa Claus in our house and talk to him. She also mentioned that she was going to pick some Christmas books for Santa to read to her. I hoped that she wouldn't be either confused or disappointed when a man in a red suit wouldn't see her clean room or read to her (although "Santa" actually did both).
As they walked in the room, I asked each one of them to show me their excited about Christmas face. Who looks more excited?
When she saw the presents, her eyes got wide and she exclaimed, "Presents all for me." She was a bit distraught when we we told her that they were for everyone in our family, but quickly forgot about that when we let her choose and deliver the gifts to the correct recipient.
Zaby didn't care too much about the presents, he was not surprisingly mostly fascinated by the lights and music coming from our tree. (We have a string of musical bells that sing Christmas carols when we plug the tree in). I managed to get a picture of both kids under the tree before the unwrapping began.
Eliza was very good at spotting her own presents (perhaps because they were mostly wrapped in red), because the first three presents she chose were for her. I love her smile after opening this Minnie Mouse sleeping bag.
It wasn't until the kids found the stockings and started shoving all the contents in their mouths (including a small box of crackers) that I realized in all of my excitement, I hadn't fed them anything - poor children were starving to death. In all fairness, we were going to attend an amazing brunch at our Stake Presidents house at 10. Since we weren't planning on eating until we arrived, I forgot that the kids probably wouldn't make it that long and needed something before that. Perhaps next year, I won't be such a lame mom and make them some breakfast before we open presents.
After a small detour to feed the kids something, the present opening resumed. At first she wasn't too sure about this high chair and pack-n-play for her dolls, but by the end of the day, they became a regular part of her baby doll routine. In fact, she tucks her dolls and "friends" into their beds each night and twice during the day for naps. Different dolls and different figures eat various snacks and meals, prepared by Eliza, throughout the day from the high chair. My mom gave her a baby swing, car seat carrier, and diaper bag accessories which fit right in with her collection.
Zaby had lots of help from his sister opening presents, but he didn't seem to mind. We are excited to use his Cars sleeping bag along with his sisters camping this summer.
Bruce got a nice collection of shirts to wear to work and some awesome shoes. I got him some Vans this year, and every time he wears them, he gets a compliment of some time. I bought those shoes at a Famous Footwear outlet for $5.00; probably the best bargain I have ever found.
By far Eliza's favorite gifts were this Bert and Ernie (garage sale for .50 a piece), and this Minnie Mouse from Aunt Kendra. When asked what she got for Christmas, these are the three gifts she mentioned, and these are the three gifts she plays with all day everyday. Bert and Ernie were the perfect addition to her collection. Although she still plays with dolls on occasion, her Sesame Street figures and Minnie Mouse have taken priority even over her dolls. She uses all of her doll accessories for Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert, and Ernie. It is adorable.
Later that afternoon, I found her reading Bert and Ernie a book entitled "Bert and Ernie go Camping." She told me very excitedly that she had to read Bert and Ernie to Bert and Ernie - Hilarious!
It's hard to know for sure what present Zaby liked the most (because he plays with all of them).
However, after he opened this John Deere tractor from Aunt Kendra, he had absolutely no interest in anything else. He wanted that tractor out of the package immediately. Once it was free, he took that tractor to the tiled entrance by the door and pushed it back and forth over and over again, all the while smiling while he pushed the sound buttons. So cute!! We discovered that he enjoys anything that he can push around. Be it a truck, train, tractor, or my bowls, pots, or lids - if it slides across the floor, it's the best toy!
And this pictures was just too cute not to take and post.
And this pictures was just too cute not to take and post.
This year, I got an IPAD! Yes!! It was a combination birthday/Christmas gift, but I am totally in love with it. An Ipad is probably the coolest thing I have. I absolutely love it, and the euphoria of owning one hasn't worn off yet. Merry Christmas to me!! (Eliza took this picture).
We stuffed ourselves at the a fore mentioned brunch. The kids fell asleep on the way home, and Bruce took a nap when we got home. That left me all afternoon to explore my Ipad without interruption. It was great!!
We had a great Christmas this year. We spent a lot of time together and played together as a family. You can't ask for more than that! Merry Christmas to all!
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