Christmas 2010

Christmas this year was a magical one with the kids. We took them to see Santa at the mall in November right before Thanksgiving and they could hardly wait for him to come and leave presents for them on Christmas Eve. This year I made a candy countdown and every morning Kaleb enjoyed getting his and Karmindy's Christmas treat (two m&m's) out for them to eat. They also enjoyed having Jingles (Elf on the Shelf) stay with us. Each morning the kids (mostly Kaleb) would run out of his room and search the house top to bottom looking for Jingles. Jingles loved the kitchen and was often found riding on my wire mesh rooster and chicken. The kids thought it was hilarious that Jingles must have been riding the rooster and chicken around the house while they were asleep.

Several weeks before Christmas, we took the kids down to Thanksgiving point to see their Christmas light display. I have a membership there and we got in for a total of $4. The kids loved the light display and loved driving around looking at all their lights.

Our Christmas Eve was a quiet one, but it was really nice.

Early on in the day the kids and I made sugar cookies together and then for dinner that night, I made a Honey Ham, with patriotic salad, Cherry Cheesecake, stuffed mushrooms, rolls, and shrimp cocktail served over Cream Cheese with chips to dip in it. We also drank our weight in Sparkling Apple Cider. The kids loved the Bubbly. After dinner, we let the kids open up a gift from us (new pj's and slippers). Kaleb and Karmindy loved their new Santa PJ's and their 1st pair of slippers. Karmindy really loved her princess fur trimmed slippers. She calls them, "Slip-a-dees." She has worn them every day since. Kaleb also loves his slippers and also wears his daily. The newness hasn't worn off almost two weeks later!!

Christmas morning was a wonderful one! It was a nice one especially since we didn't have any sickness. Last year the kids were sick with the flu on Christmas morning, so it was nice to not wake up to, "Mom, I threw up on my new pjs!"

Karmindy was the first one up and came and jumped in bed with us. That was around 5:45. I kept telling her to go wake up Kaleb so we could open presents but she wasn't too interested. We both fell back asleep. Around 8 am, Kaleb came in with excitement in his voice. Santa had come!!

The look on their faces was priceless when we walked into the living room. Kaleb was the most excited of him and his sister. Karmindy was still not quite sure what all the hype was about. Kaleb enjoyed opening all his presents. Karmindy opened a few but opted out and let her brother open most of hers. Karmindy tends to get overwhelmed by new things we have noticed. She doesn't like busy places with lots of people and doesn't like new experience. All in all the kids loved their gifts. Kaleb got the Playmobil Pirate ship that he asked Santa for and also got a Leapster Explorer from us. He has been playing his Leapster Day in and Day out. We got it for him in hopes of curing him of his Mario obsession. We figured we were ok with him playing computer games as long as they were educational and so far we have hit the jack pot. Karmindy got a doll house and Princess tent from Santa. She also got two La la Loopsy Dolls from us and Kaleb. She really loves all her gifts!

We really enjoyed our Holiday weekend and are looking forward to Christmas next year!!