We'll start a full week before Christmas with our trip to visit our favorite Santa at the local mall. This man is made for the part. A story in the local paper a few days after our visit revealed that he is an amateur actor who starts growing his beard each year in June to be ready for the kids come December. He's truly great--no rush, actually talks to the kids and either remembers them from year to year or has keen hearing to pick up names being bandied about while we wait in (a short) line. He greets them by name as they walk up.
Or at least he did for Edward. Daniel was much more hesitant, as he was with the train Santa in November. Ed was chatting away while Daniel was saying, "I don't wanna see Santa." When I got down to hold him close and Santa reached out for a "five," he warmed a bit and we managed this photo.
They both asked for trains and then had a chat with Santa about Thomas and all his various train friends. This guy knows his stuff.
On to the main event. We started a day early with a visit from Gram and PopPop with special guest, Aunt Bridget. Much merriment ensued with books and forts and games, oh my! We started with Edward's birthday celebration on Wednesday afternoon and Zingo was an instant favorite. We have played many, many games. Luckily it's as tolerable for adults as it is fun for kids, so an all-around good choice. We had some birthday cupcakes after dinner just to top things off.
On Thursday, Christmas Eve day, we moved on to the Christmas celebration with gifts for both boys. Daniel was happy to be in on the action this time around.
At nap time, our visitors left and we set about recharging for an evening with Grandma and Grandpa. This would have been a better picture if I hadn't cut off the top of Bill's head, but I think it's cute anyway.
Grandma's delicious Christmas Eve dinner was so successful that Daniel lost his shirt in the process. Red Jell-O is not really meant to be eaten by the fistful, in case you were wondering. Luckily, we had extra clothes there for just such an occasion, but I was not above letting him brave the chill for moment so we could bring you this picture.
After dinner, it was on to the presents. I knew Daniel was to receive a school bus and guessed correctly by size which package to hand him first. However, after he opened this, he had absolutely no interest in any other presents and pushed the wrapped packages away when we tried to hand them to him. Somehow Edward also became enamored of this toy and they ended up fighting over it, despite Edward's receiving many "big kid" things of his own.
Apparently I am in line for "meanest mom in the world" for telling my children that Santa comes while they are at church on Christmas morning. They didn't raise a single objection--Ed's only concern was how Santa would come down our chimney after we sealed the fireplace with insulating plastic to keep out the breeze. We said lots of people don't even have chimneys, but Santa always finds his way inside. We got up on Christmas morning, had some breakfast and headed out to 8:30 mass, which had blessedly limited attendance. Christmas Eve on the other hand is a madhouse to which you must arrive at least 30 minutes early to have any hope of a seat. Our kids can barely make it through ONE hour!Santa did arrive while we were gone as promised, and delivered the requested trains.
This was also when the packages that had been arriving in the mail from various corners of the world were also unveiled. Books and a game from Arizona, games and a construction set from Brazil (via Amazon!), Thomas trains from Wisconsin...a joy to behold!
We spent the rest of the morning playing, though not always harmoniously or together. By now they have adapted these new favorites into their play routines, but Ed preferred to do his initial exploration solo. We keep the trains in our "library" because it has a wood floor instead of carpet, so we were able to segregate a bit with one kid on trains and the other in the living room/dining room play area to keep things civil until lunch and nap time.After naps, we were on to the birthday extravaganza, per tradition. Grandma and Grandpa came over with even MORE gifts, which we opened before Edward's requested dinner--homemade macaroni and cheese. Culinary sophistication. I already posted a picture of Edward's cake, which was tasty, even if not beautiful. I really wonder if there is some secret to writing with icing. My handwriting is nothing special, but nothing like the serial killer scrawl I manage with an icing tube!
Edward's birthday gifts were bountiful, and many were Cars themed. We gave him the DVD with the characters he so idolizes but had never seen. It took four sittings to get through it--short attention span--but now it is often requested. He likes the two short "extras" on the DVD almost as much as the movie itself! From Grandma and Grandpa he opened a Cars play rug so he can drive his vehicles all over Radiator Springs while the movie distracts in the background.
Once the kids were occupied with these new marvels, Grandpa got his chance with the coveted school bus--fun for kids of all ages. (I may be disowned for posting this photo!)
More to come on our sledding and New Year's adventures. Stay tuned to find out if I can bring us back to current before falling behind again with Daniel's birthday festivities!
