Christmas!

Christmas morning, I was like a little kid myself. I have been anxiously awaiting this day to see my kids open their presents. That's not to say that we woke up at the crack of dawn like some do. We didn't -- that's just not my thing. We took our sweet time getting around. Gabe got to take a shower with Daddy, which is pretty much his favorite thing to do these days, and then we got all clad in our robes and headed downstairs to see if Santa came.

And, oh, did he! I know that the kids are still a little young to appreciate the complexity of this gift receiving experience and it was probably not the most prudent thing to do fiscally-speaking, BUT I went overboard anyway. I probably bought way too many toys, thinking all the while, 'but what if this toy is the one that makes them gloriously happy?' or 'what if this toy teaches them some invaluable skill?' -- how could I pass it up? Gabe and Ari both got the hang of the gift unwrapping idea (grasping the concept that something fun lay under the paper), and eagerly anticipated each wrapped gift. The kids started off in a daze-like state; just totally enchanted with the whole production. Then they began to really get into the rhythm of unwrap, play, repeat. As the gifts kept coming, they both started to get a little overwhelmed and fussy. It didn't help things that we postponed breakfast until after all the gifts were unwrapped (note to self for next year: food before fun). Gabe's favorite presents are his matchbox cars, remote control car, lacing beads, tumbling mat, and alphabet DVD. Ari's favorite presents are her keyboard, remote control, learning tool bench, and musical book. And that is just scraping the surface!

I made creme brulee French toast for breakfast, and then we spent the rest of the day setting up and playing with toys as we lounged around the house enjoying a few hours of post-holiday-hurry solace.