How glorious it is to see Christmas through the eyes of a 5 year-old! We have made so many wonderful memories to cherish this Christmas season. Andrew (the 5 year-old) thinks that Christmas never ends! (And he is right!)
We started off our Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve, Eve. Mike and I took the boys to see Santa Claus and then out for a family dinner at a wonderful urban BBQ restaurant. We didn't go to the big "commercial" Santa Claus this year, but chose to support the local Rotary Club by visiting their Santa. He was wonderful!
Ryan was not so sure of Santa this year - the picture will tell a thousand words. Unlike his very cordial older brother who thinks he is a celebrity who everyone likes (sorry Ashton... you broke Demi's heart, and I will never think of you the same!), Ryan is very much the cautious one. He is very friendly as long as he is in mommy or daddy's arms, safe and sound.
Andrew (did I mention he would talk the wood off a fence post?) jumped right up on Santa's knee and proceeded to share with him the two page letter he had written to him the week before giving specific details of each wish he had for Christmas. Mostly things that could fly, like helicopters and airplanes, things that go fast, like cars and bikes with two wheels...count them TWO, and everything the fabulous color of red. When writing this letter, he began to go right in for the kill and asked me "How do you spell 'I want a...'?" "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" was my reply. "First of all, you always start a letter with 'Dear' and then the name of the person you are writing, and after that don't you want to butter Santa up a little bit? Ask him about his reindeer or Mrs. Claus? You know, start off with a nice conversation opener?" Andrew looked at me with a big blank stare and then said, "Nah, I only have this much room and reindeer is a pretty big word."
While sitting on Santa's lap, Andrew did mention leaving Santa milk and cookies. Santa looked at him and said, "Well, I'm not feeling so good this year. How about you leave me some broccoli and ranch dressing instead?" "Oh no, Santa! I'm so sorry you aren't feeling so well. We can do that, right mom? She said yes! Well, how's Mrs. Claus doing?" "Oh good, well I'll leave some milk and cookies for her so she can come with you since you aren't feeling well." Too funny. And yes, we did leave Santa a healthy snack of celery and ranch dressing, three cookies for Mrs. Claus (she really needs to watch her figure!), a carrot for the reindeer and two glasses of milk.
Mike has been joking that Christmas Eve started our own version of Christmas at the Griswold's. Mike's parents got to our house in the early afternoon. We decided to attend the early Christmas Eve service at church since it was geared towards families with children. It was a memorable service. Ryan talked/sang/two year-old babble throughout the entire service. Andrew stabbed Grandpa Ray in the nostril with a pencil. Yes, there was blood. And Ryan head-butted me in the mouth. And yes, more blood. We did make it through "Silent Night" sung by candlelight unscorched. Then, on home to set the Christmas tree on fire and light a match near the septic tank.
Christmas morning came with lots of excitement. Everyone did sleep until 7am or just after. Andrew and Ryan ran into the living room and exploded with excitement over what Santa left them. Andrew kept saying in amazement, "He really did it! He didn't leave me coal! This is so awesome, baby!" He really was astonished the entire time that there was not a single piece of coal to be found. Mike and I thought this was pretty funny since we had not said anything about Andrew receiving coal. Although, I did threaten a couple of times that Santa was going to have to send a shelf elf to our house to report his good and bad choices.
We had a couple of days of down time and then headed to my parent's house for round two. We celebrated Christmas on New Year's Eve. It was a great time filled with helicopters, basketball, side splitting laughter while watching my mom and dad get down with the Smurfs on the Smurf Dance Party game for the Wii. (If you have not played this game, you have to go find it now! It is seriously good clean fun for all ages!)
On the way home from my parents' house, Andrew asked from the back seat "Christmas is not over right mom? Right? I mean, Jesus still lives today!"
Couldn't have been a better celebration of Jesus, family and togetherness!
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