Wow. Christmas is over. I was a bit sad when we drove back home today and noticed that most of the Christmas lights were taken down. I guess some neighbors take care of business quick. My goal is to take down all our Christmas stuff during the New Year. Till next December...
I decided to be proactive with Christmas break play dates and made a conscious effort to have two of the kids' friends over. One of the brothers is in Char's class and the other brother is in Lucas's class. This is the first time they had a play date where both their friends were over.
Having a picnic in Char's Frozen tent
These two rugrats created quite the toy tornado
Char zonked out after her play date
Yes, she's actually asleep in her tent
While Char was taking her nap, Lucas made a card for her. This year, both kids understand Christmas (most importantly, that it's Jesus's birthday AND they also get tons of presents too). I went on a mini shopping trip separately with both kids so they could pick out a present for the other person. I wish I had recorded Char's reaction to Lucas's card and the present "he" got her (a Frozen purse). She loved it!
Working on sissy poo's card
It was raining on Christmas Eve Eve so I let the kids see what's inside their stockings. Yes, I know I'm spoiling them a bit too much this week. But before stocking time...
They decorated their own Christmas stocking
... and played with those clingy window things
... and stared out the window looking at the rain fall
Picture time in front of the tree before looking in stockings!
FINALLY!
"Charlotte, smile!"
Charlotte fell in love with Baby Margaret after a few too many Daniel Tiger episodes. Did you know that finding a Baby Margaret is actually quite an adventure?! Anyway, we got Char a Baby Margaret at Toys R Us during Black Friday and found a smaller one at Target, too. I decided to stuff that one in her stocking. Since Char already had a Baby Margaret, she decided to be nice and gave her newest Baby Margaret to her brother.
He loves Baby Margaret too!
Weird make shift tie (yes, major choking hazard!)
On Christmas Eve, we went over to our cousins house for a delicious dinner and their first official round of presents. The kids were super stoked! They were excited to trade presents and see what their cousins got for them. We also cleaned up a bit and finally got out of our jammies.
Christmas 2015 family pic
My cutie pies
Cousins picture before presents
Daddy explaining Star Wars to the next generation
This is our first year telling the "true" story about Santa. I also wanted to start a new tradition and asked if the kids wanted to sleep by the tree so that they could maybe catch Santa while he stopped by. I thought the kids would be tired after their Christmas Eve fiasco at their cousins. Char (obviously) fell asleep first. Lucas, on the other hand, was really excited to see Santa. He was sitting in his sleeping bag just waiting and waiting and waiting. I had to tell him that Santa was stuck in traffic and would probably come super late. He eventually dozed off around 11pm. "Santa" ate some cookies and candy that was left out for "him" and dropped off their gifts. At around 4am, Lucas came into my room in tears because he fell asleep and missed Santa. He noticed that Santa took his picture, ate some of his cookies, and left a present, but the main point was that he missed Santa! I had him sleep with me and had to explain that most kids don't see Santa because he comes so late. Maybe it's time to invest in a Santa outfit next year so he wouldn't be in tears. The joy of believing in Santa only lasts so long anyway... ahh, the sweet childhood years.
Santa chair our and two sleeping children
Playing with their Christmas Eve presents
Lucas spent more time playing with Char's dolls than his own presents
Little Miss Fashionista sporting her new purse
Giving hugs on Christmas Day
The day after Christmas, we spent a night in SSF so that we could enjoy a bit of (late) Christmas in San Francisco. I think I had more fun taking Christmas-y pictures in Union Square. The kids had more fun at the hotel watching TV and splashing around in the tub.
Can you tell these kids are not from the Peninsula?
Christmas in San Francisco
For some reason, seeing big Snoopy was funny to them
Christmas snuck up way too fast this year! We usually go to Christmas in the Park, but for some reason, just didn't get around to it. I'll use Union Square as a semi substitute this year. I guess I'll have to make a better effort to be more prepared next year. Anyway, that was our Christmas. A bit hectic, a bit chaotic, but that's our crazy life anyway. Now, off to enjoy one more week of Christmas break before school starts again.
