We just kind of hung out around the house today, relaxing and playing with Sugar and hanging out together. It was really nice to have that down time, with nothing to do and nowhere to go. We really need to do that more often!
I didn't take any pictures until the evening, when the exciting Christmas Eve stuff started happening. We have a tradition at our house that the kids each get to open one present on Christmas Eve, and its kind of a running joke because its the same type of present every year but they still manage to get very excited about opening one "early".
I truly don't know if I have ever seen anybody this excited to open a present and see pajamas waiting for them:
I absolutely love her expression and enthusiasm!
She was even thrilled with the little bow that had come on top!
Killian was pretty happy with his find as well...I love that my kids are so easy to impress that a pair of pajamas can garner this type of reaction!
Wearing their new jammies:
After present opening, we always sit down on the couch together to read our collection of Christmas books. Its growing every year, and we have some really cute ones in our collection. Killian wanted to read one to Rowan this year, so they chose "There was an old lady who swallowed a bell". It had us all cracking up laughing:
The last book of the night is always "The night before Christmas" and Matthew is always the one to read it to the kids:
Our next task was to hang up stockings!
All hung up and ready for Santa!
We stopped in the kitchen to check the computer and see where Santa was on Norad before loading up a tray of cookie and carrots for the reindeer. Rowan made the cutest card to leave for Santa! This is the front; it is Santa with a reindeer pulling the sleigh and a candy cane and some stars for decoration:
The inside reads "Santa, Thank you for the present, I think I will really like it. Love, Rowan":
She finished it off with some big and little hearts for Santa on the back. She was SO much more excited about Christmas and Santa and the whole magic of the day this year than in previous years. I love seeing that holiday spirit flow through her, and I hope she keeps it alive for many years to come!
We set out the card and tray of goodies:
And then the kids headed off to bed, too excited to sleep but too tired to stay awake. Looks like the littlest member of the family felt the same way...
While the kids and puppy were sleeping, Santa came and filled stockings and set out all the presents. When the kids went to bed, this was what they saw in the living room:
And this is what they would be waking up too!
I love imagining the reactions the kids will have in the morning when they walk out and see their presents and stockings waiting for them. I think Christmas is almost more magical when you are a parent compared to when you are a kid. You invest so much time and love picking out the perfect things for your kids, and its so much fun to watch them opening them and see the delight and joy on their faces. I wouldn't miss that for the world - Matthew and I feel like kids on Christmas morning ourselves watching the magic of the day through our children.
I didn't take any pictures until the evening, when the exciting Christmas Eve stuff started happening. We have a tradition at our house that the kids each get to open one present on Christmas Eve, and its kind of a running joke because its the same type of present every year but they still manage to get very excited about opening one "early".
I truly don't know if I have ever seen anybody this excited to open a present and see pajamas waiting for them:
I absolutely love her expression and enthusiasm!
She was even thrilled with the little bow that had come on top!
Killian was pretty happy with his find as well...I love that my kids are so easy to impress that a pair of pajamas can garner this type of reaction!
Wearing their new jammies:
After present opening, we always sit down on the couch together to read our collection of Christmas books. Its growing every year, and we have some really cute ones in our collection. Killian wanted to read one to Rowan this year, so they chose "There was an old lady who swallowed a bell". It had us all cracking up laughing:
The last book of the night is always "The night before Christmas" and Matthew is always the one to read it to the kids:
Our next task was to hang up stockings!
All hung up and ready for Santa!
We stopped in the kitchen to check the computer and see where Santa was on Norad before loading up a tray of cookie and carrots for the reindeer. Rowan made the cutest card to leave for Santa! This is the front; it is Santa with a reindeer pulling the sleigh and a candy cane and some stars for decoration:
The inside reads "Santa, Thank you for the present, I think I will really like it. Love, Rowan":
She finished it off with some big and little hearts for Santa on the back. She was SO much more excited about Christmas and Santa and the whole magic of the day this year than in previous years. I love seeing that holiday spirit flow through her, and I hope she keeps it alive for many years to come!
We set out the card and tray of goodies:
And then the kids headed off to bed, too excited to sleep but too tired to stay awake. Looks like the littlest member of the family felt the same way...
While the kids and puppy were sleeping, Santa came and filled stockings and set out all the presents. When the kids went to bed, this was what they saw in the living room:
And this is what they would be waking up too!
I love imagining the reactions the kids will have in the morning when they walk out and see their presents and stockings waiting for them. I think Christmas is almost more magical when you are a parent compared to when you are a kid. You invest so much time and love picking out the perfect things for your kids, and its so much fun to watch them opening them and see the delight and joy on their faces. I wouldn't miss that for the world - Matthew and I feel like kids on Christmas morning ourselves watching the magic of the day through our children.