Next week we are heading to Oklahoma for Christmas. Since this is the girls' first Christmas with us, I really wanted them to experience it at home. The only day we had free, before we leave, was this past Sunday. It is such a great thing that Santa Claus delivers presents to families that are going to be out of town on Christmas Eve. :)
I wasn't sure how much the girls would grasp since we don't focus on Santa much. I did tell the boys that we were going to "pretend" that Santa was going to come to our house, so the girls could experience what it is like to leave cookies and have presents under the tree in the morning. They were excited to help eat the cookies and to be involved in something so fun knowing full well that Santa already mailed their gifts.
All day Saturday, we told the girls what was going to be happening that night once they were in bed. We had a great day. Monte brought home Ethiopian food for lunch (he is a hunter and hunted in the morning). I have to admit a different side of the girls comes out when they are eating injera. They are so happy and content. I believe it is the familiarity of the food for them. They love American food, but nothing remotely compares with injera. I love watching them eat it.
We then made our annual gingerbread house. It reminds me every year I have no chance of ever decorating cakes, but the kids have a blast.
Then it was time for bed. This is a picture of them in their Christmas jammies...
Once they were all in bed, Monte went out to his truck to unload from his hunt(no dead animals, just gear). He opened the garage door which is right under the girls' room. We never open it when the girls are in bed because it is so loud. Once Chloe heard the loud noise, she sat straight up in bed and yelled, "Santa's coming!". It was the cutest thing ever!
The next morning they were all up and ready to go by 7a. The girls really caught on quick and needed no help tearing open their gifts. I am amazed at how fast they have caught on to everything. They are such smart girls!
Josiah and his big eyes...
Chloe eating a sucker at 7:30a... life is great.
John got what he wanted from Santa...
Isaac was excited, but not surprised. Just FYI, all the boys received hair cuts last night. I didn't think about that when I was running around finishing up shopping last week. That would of been a smart thing to schedule!
Hannah and her baby doll...
The three youngest had their Christmas program at church too. They all did great! Josiah was a wise man and the girls rang bells. The girls saw us when they were leaving the sanctuary, but didn't cry for us. They just went back to their class like big girls. They have adjusted to church very well. I am thankful!
3 comments:
what a precious family celebration. i have tears in my eyes thinking about it. everyone looks SO happy. that was so dear to read about how injera is food for their souls. :)
There is just something about the excitement of Santa, the anticipation evident on their faces is P.R.I.C.E.L.E.S.S. in the pictures!!! I am now craving a red sucker - thanks a lot Chloe! I'm with Missy, pure joy and happiness, Merry Christmas Alexander's!!
Looks like a blast! The kids seemed thrilled with their Legos (and mine are scanning the pictures trying to figure out exactly which sets they got). Any mother that lets their kid have a sucker at 7:30 in the morning is super cool ;)
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