Christmas was super exciting this year, as Noella is now old enough to care about presents, and get the gist of Santa. She could hardly stand it when she saw all of our presents under the tree prior to Christmas. She asked every morning if she could open one. She is persistent and tenacious, if nothing else. The first few presents that appeared under our tree were just for her from family, sent by mail. A few days later, there were some more from us for everyone in the family. After that happened, she replied, "Mom, I'm glad that you and dad have presents under the tree". Yeah, Noella, because that would have been so awkward if they were all for you!
Christmas Eve was relatively laid back. Adam made shepherd's pie (now becoming our family's tradition of Christmas Eve meal), we went to the children's mass, we each got to open one present and then we went for dessert at our neighbor's house. Noella loved the children's mass (particularly the little girls dressed as angels and the kids in the choir singing Christmas songs.
Poor little girlie was sick a few days before Christmas, and was getting up at night with a yucky cough (feeling uncomfortable). She woke up Christmas Eve night and ran to our bedroom, past the lit tree full of presents and stuffed stockings! I was so paranoid that would happen, and of course it did. Luckily, she did not even notice. In fact, the next morning, we had to tell her twice to check the living room to see if Santa had come.
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| Santa's big deal this year: a special baby for NoJo to take care of. So far, she's doing a great job with "Polly" |
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| A rainbow flower crown, some bath crayons (and new jammies that got put on right away) |
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| Unicorn towel |
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| New ballerina pictures to hang on her wall |
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| Action shot. |
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| An easel from Nana and Papa. An instant hit |
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| Headlamp from Santa, backpack from Uncle Alex |
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| Another action shot |
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| Meems sent the stroller for the baby. How did she know Santa would bring a baby? |
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| Fancy rainbow lollipop from her stocking. |
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| Trying out her new bath color tablets from Mom and Dad |
It was a great day. One for the books for sure. It blew snow all day long and could not have been more picturesque. Even though I felt as if we had maintained a little self control and did not go overboard, somehow, it was still way too much and a tad bit overwhelming. Luckily, she thoroughly enjoys and is using everything she received, so that makes me feel better.
Fresh croissants baked that morning were our special Christmas breakfast (courtesy of Sparrow Bakery). We hosted our neighbors that evening for a little appetizer open house. I think we made up for not being back in Missouri with family. While it was hard to be away (we were definitely missing and thinking of everyone) - it was nice to experience Christmas with just our little family. We all need that once in a while - right?
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