We had a really wonderful Christmas this year! It was completely stress free, partly because we had finished all of our shopping and wrapping about 2 weeks before Christmas. But I think it was mostly because of the freak snowstorms we got...we couldn't go anywhere, and we couldn't do anything so all there was left was to take it easy. Which we did....and that easy going feeling continued right on through Christmas day. Despite Killian's plan of waking everyone up while it was still dark outside, he was still slumbering peacefully at 8am, as was Rowan. Matthew and I woke them up by whispering "I think Santa came", and what do you know...they both jumped right up and out of bed. They were in the living room in a flash (well, after we made them go to the bathroom and brush their hair....cause we are THAT kind of parents). They were SO excited about their stockings, and had a great time digging through them. Then they moved on to the Santa presents....a full faced helmet for Killian and a bike for Rowan, in addition to a Lego set each and the bean bag chairs. Killian has been waiting his whole life for a full faced helmet. Really, like...forever. So you can imagine his elation when he opened the box:
He immediately put it on, and was SO happy. I thought he was going to cry because he was SO happy.
And it didn't take long for the tears to come. Unfortunately it wasn't out of happiness. The helmet was much more snug that he thought it would be and once it was on...it wasn't coming off without taking an ear with it. After much tugging and tears, I was finally able to reach in and pull out the cheek padding so he could get it off. Ears intact. What a total buzz kill though, to go from such happiness to crying your eyes out. I felt so bad because this was something he had been looking forward to for so long, it was really the main thing he wanted for Christmas. With the cheek pads out he can get the helmet on and off, but that makes it too wobbly to wear for bike riding which is a big reason he wanted it. I am going to take him out tomorrow to buy a new one and put this one on Craig's List. So....a disappointment, but he is making the best of it. It hasn't stopped him from wearing it all day long as you will soon see!
Rowan had no problems at all with her Santa gift and immediately took it out for a spin down the hallway. She actually gets it going pretty fast, I cant wait till we can take her outside on it! She loved it and kept talking about how Santa had brought her JUST what she wanted.
They tore through the rest of the presents, and then Killian was down to one last present....a MP3 player!!
This completely made up for the earlier disappointment with his helmet. Matthew and I had loaded a couple hundred songs on there the night before, and got him some funky new headphones. I don't think he has put it down since he got it....this is by far his best present. And its a parent feel good present too, because what could be better than encouraging your child's love of music? He has everything from Rascal Flatts to Pink Floyd, Bob Marley to Justin Timberlake. We loaded up a bunch of good stuff for him, but his favorite songs so far (and the ones he listens to over and over...and over) are: 7 Nation Army by the White Stripes, We Will Rock You, Another One Bites the Dust. Its pretty darn cute when he is rocking out around the house, singing loudly and off key. I would post a video I took, but it would totally embarrass him and I am saving the good stuff for his first girlfriend!
After they finished unwrapping it all, we moved and stacked their stuff all together and cleaned up the heaps of wrapping paper. Here is Killian's pile of presents:
And Rowans pile:
They also got a joint gift, a new Plasma car, so now they have two. Finally no more fights over who gets to ride it!! Before I finish up talking about presents, I have to say something about Matthew. This man may not know how to wrap a present to save his life (as evident by this little gem):
But he sure knows how to pick the perfect presents. He went shopping weeks before I did my post about kitchen stuff I love and what do you know....he had bought me a bunch of stuff off that list...before the list was even made! Now that's a husband who knows what his wife likes! I got everything I wanted and more. Its been years since I haven't known what at least some of my presents are, so this was a great surprise and I was so happy :)
After we opened presents we lounged around for a while until Matthews family came over. We made an early dinner and then got down to opening yet more presents. The kids then proceeded to go wild. WILD! They always have a great time together, but fueled by an exciting day and 3 pounds of cookies (each) they were very high on life. They put together a little band with Rowans new keyboard and Killian's old guitar and they jammed for a while. I think Killian is beat boxing in this picture, look how he is holding the mic!
Cousin Takoda loved his new spider man costume that Killian and Rowan picked out for him:
And managed to sneak himself into every picture I took. Rowan is channeling her inner gangsta in cousin Riley's hat:
We had such fun with our family, we don't get together often enough and I am always sad when its time for them to leave. All in all, it was probably one of our best Christmas's, very mellow, no stress, and just really relaxing day. Which is why it doesn't seem quite right to end with this picture, but I just had too. This is my nephew Takoda. This is the look he always gives me. I think he really loves it when I take his picture. Don't you?
We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, surrounded by the love of your family and friends!
He immediately put it on, and was SO happy. I thought he was going to cry because he was SO happy.
And it didn't take long for the tears to come. Unfortunately it wasn't out of happiness. The helmet was much more snug that he thought it would be and once it was on...it wasn't coming off without taking an ear with it. After much tugging and tears, I was finally able to reach in and pull out the cheek padding so he could get it off. Ears intact. What a total buzz kill though, to go from such happiness to crying your eyes out. I felt so bad because this was something he had been looking forward to for so long, it was really the main thing he wanted for Christmas. With the cheek pads out he can get the helmet on and off, but that makes it too wobbly to wear for bike riding which is a big reason he wanted it. I am going to take him out tomorrow to buy a new one and put this one on Craig's List. So....a disappointment, but he is making the best of it. It hasn't stopped him from wearing it all day long as you will soon see!
Rowan had no problems at all with her Santa gift and immediately took it out for a spin down the hallway. She actually gets it going pretty fast, I cant wait till we can take her outside on it! She loved it and kept talking about how Santa had brought her JUST what she wanted.
They tore through the rest of the presents, and then Killian was down to one last present....a MP3 player!!
This completely made up for the earlier disappointment with his helmet. Matthew and I had loaded a couple hundred songs on there the night before, and got him some funky new headphones. I don't think he has put it down since he got it....this is by far his best present. And its a parent feel good present too, because what could be better than encouraging your child's love of music? He has everything from Rascal Flatts to Pink Floyd, Bob Marley to Justin Timberlake. We loaded up a bunch of good stuff for him, but his favorite songs so far (and the ones he listens to over and over...and over) are: 7 Nation Army by the White Stripes, We Will Rock You, Another One Bites the Dust. Its pretty darn cute when he is rocking out around the house, singing loudly and off key. I would post a video I took, but it would totally embarrass him and I am saving the good stuff for his first girlfriend!
After they finished unwrapping it all, we moved and stacked their stuff all together and cleaned up the heaps of wrapping paper. Here is Killian's pile of presents:
And Rowans pile:
They also got a joint gift, a new Plasma car, so now they have two. Finally no more fights over who gets to ride it!! Before I finish up talking about presents, I have to say something about Matthew. This man may not know how to wrap a present to save his life (as evident by this little gem):
But he sure knows how to pick the perfect presents. He went shopping weeks before I did my post about kitchen stuff I love and what do you know....he had bought me a bunch of stuff off that list...before the list was even made! Now that's a husband who knows what his wife likes! I got everything I wanted and more. Its been years since I haven't known what at least some of my presents are, so this was a great surprise and I was so happy :)
After we opened presents we lounged around for a while until Matthews family came over. We made an early dinner and then got down to opening yet more presents. The kids then proceeded to go wild. WILD! They always have a great time together, but fueled by an exciting day and 3 pounds of cookies (each) they were very high on life. They put together a little band with Rowans new keyboard and Killian's old guitar and they jammed for a while. I think Killian is beat boxing in this picture, look how he is holding the mic!
Cousin Takoda loved his new spider man costume that Killian and Rowan picked out for him:
And managed to sneak himself into every picture I took. Rowan is channeling her inner gangsta in cousin Riley's hat:
We had such fun with our family, we don't get together often enough and I am always sad when its time for them to leave. All in all, it was probably one of our best Christmas's, very mellow, no stress, and just really relaxing day. Which is why it doesn't seem quite right to end with this picture, but I just had too. This is my nephew Takoda. This is the look he always gives me. I think he really loves it when I take his picture. Don't you?
We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, surrounded by the love of your family and friends!