We did Christmas with Oma and Opa this year while they were visiting in early December. The kids loved their presents and have played a lot with a cupcake maker, and a dragon that shoots things.
They did Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa while they were visiting after the school Christmas program. Here is a before:
They did Christmas with their cousins McCall and Baylor the weekend before Christmas.
And loved their matchbox cars the best!
Fast forward to Christmas morning. The first few photos are on my phone, because the camera was down in the playroom. I couldn't get to it before the kids ran down there. This is about 5-10 minutes into it! Santa brought three presents to each child. A bike, a soccer ball, and a hula hoop.
D and T had a blast dumping their stockings.
But Daddy had to help Eli. Eli quickly discovered there were new stamp pads in his stocking. This made him a VERY happy boy.
He knew just what do to, and ran over to the bin that has all the stampers in it.
SO EXCITED! I love how the little things in the stocking, like new stamp pads, make them the happiest.
Daddy attempting to hula hoop.
After playing with the new Santa toys a while, we headed upstairs to open presents. Here is my blurb on how we changed Christmas this year. We went with the 4 gift rule: Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read. We also decided on only 3 gifts from Santa, b/c Jesus only got three gifts. I thought it wasn't enough, that the kids would feel deprived. I quickly realized those were MY issues, not theirs. I don't want their love language to be gifts. I don't want them spoiled and entitled. I struggle with this daily, because I feel torn between giving them everything they want, and actually making them decent human beings who are used to being told "No". Parenting: Not for the weak of heart. I want them to remember the reason for the season, not just focus on how many presents they get. We will never have to deal with children who count how many presents each get, b/c everyone will be equal. The four gift rule is just as much for me as it is them. It keeps my shopping in check. I would frequently see things they would like, but didn't buy it because that category was already met. Now, what will I change next year? We will be opening presents individually. When they all just rip in, I miss their reactions. Their siblings have no idea what they got. I want to experience that and savor it. I took great care in picking out their four gifts each, and I want to watch them enjoy what they received. For some gifts, they will open together. Example: All 3 got costumes for dress up as their wear. I would have all 3 open those boxes at the same time.
Enough about that, here is Drake with his 4 gifts:
And Tessa:
T with her need: and educational turtle for just her- she gets to keep it in her room. That's a big deal, b/c we don't keep toys in their rooms.
Drake's want: A police station. He loved it and is still obsessed with it. All 3 kiddos love playing with it.
Eli's read was "Go Away Big Green Monster" and a puppet that goes along with it. (Note the ink all over his face from the stamp pads.
Even with "just" four gifts each, the living room was a crazy mad zone after.
Tessa's want was lincoln logs, and we all had a great time building. She fell in love with them at Disney, when a restaurant we ate had at them in the waiting area.
Ta-Da!
When it got a little warmer, we headed outside on the bikes. D got a big boy bike with legit training wheels. He was a little unsure at first, since it wobbles between the two training wheels. Once he was used to the wobble, and knew he wouldn't fall off, he loved it!
Strawberry shortcake tricycle for the princess:-)
Red radio flyer trike for this little guy! Gma and Gpa arranged for Santa to add a horn to each bike. They love those horn! Me? Not so much!
In our neighbors driveway. They like it better than ours!
I have a ton of other photos on my phone from the Christmas season, and hope to get to those today.
