Holidays get more and more fine as the kids get older. I think this Christmas was the most fun yet and I know they are just going to get even more fun. Of course all our Christmases from the past were fun, but you get what I am saying :) It was a lot of fun watching our kids make memories and remembering all the fun Christmases I had as a kid and now I am watching my kids do the seme thing. We had a pj day, watched Christmas movies and watched the kids play with their new toys all day long.
We started the morning off with stockings, our traditional cinnamon rolls, and oatmeal with Christmas sprinkles and breakfast burritos. Then on to the gifts. But first, we read the Christmas Story and then the kids had to find Baby Jesus and put him back in the manager because we wouldn't have Christmas without Baby Jesus.
I must say that I am so proud of my kids and their grateful attitudes when it comes to presents. It was so much fun watching them open all their gifts and being thrilled with them all. On Christmas Eve when we talked about Christmas being the next morning in all their excitement and anticipation not once did they ever mention opening presents. Then on Christmas morning as we were opening presents they enjoyed watching everyone else open their gifts and they never asked for more once we were done.
The new tradition we started this year was having the siblings write/draw a picture to each other as their gifts to one another. I want them to learn that a present can be more than something materialistic but a gift of your time and words is equally important. It was fun to see what they came up with.
When the kids came downstairs in the morning Joshua just stared at his full stocking in disbelief. Kayla peaked in and said, "I think I got something really special."
Joshua was so sweet. A few days before Christmas he and Kayla were upstairs wrapping presents. Once they were done they put their presents under the tree. Come Christians morning they had a present for everyone in the family He wrapped some of his toys for Kayla and Levi. Daniel got some play tools that fit on his fingers so he doesn't get shocked while installing canned lights (his latest project) and I got a quarter. Which if you know Joshua you know how hard it was for him to give up one of his own quarters. I love that he thought of other people all on his own and gave from his heart. The days after Christmas they would wrap presents and give to each other. So cute!
Here he is showing Daddy how touse his gift.
Love this picture!
As soon as Levi realized this was a car ramp/track toy he said, "Miah's gift." I think because we had gotten Jermiah a similar toy and as the kids were testing it out I kept telling them, "this is Jeremiah's toy." Later in the day when I asked Levi what he got for Chrsitams he told me, "Miah's toy."
Pots and pans just like Mommy's for my little baker girl.
Making a pie to celebrate Jesus.
I love this. She has her crown on while shooting a gun.
Do you see this face? This boy had so much fun playing with her Nerf gun all day long. Pure joy!
They approved. Kayla wanted to leave some pie for Jesus. A few days later when she asked for some pie and we told her it was gone she asked if Jesus ate it.
Such a fun, fun day. We are truly blessed beyond measure!
