Christmas Report, Part III

Now, we move onto the fun part of Christmas. Before anyone thinks from these pictures and writing that we put too much emphasize on Santa and not enough on the true meaning of Jesus' birth, let me assure you that our children do know that Christmas is about God sending his son and giving us the greatest gift. Yes, they get that even if their mother gets a little crazy with trying to make Christmas "perfect".

Case in point: somewhere during Christmas week I said something about Santa and Adriana quickly said, "Mom, Christmas isn't about Santa, it's about Jesus' birthday." Thank you, sweet girl for the reminder.

So, on Christmas Eve while we were finishing up everything before my mother, brother and a family friend arrived, Nanny worked on a gingerbread house with the children. Or, more like, the children put a few candy pieces on the house and then ran off while Nanny finished it. I did catch a couple of pint-sized people sneaking pieces off the house later in the evening.

When my mother, brother and friend arrived, my brother told the children he found somebody outside who he wanted them to see. Apparently, Santa was getting out of his car at the restaurant across the street and my brother asked if he would come over. He did and Cara and Jonah went out to see him. Adriana looked out the door, but refused to go out to see him.

Jonah did notice that Santa's mustache was falling off, and he laughingly told him about it.

Of course, all day the children kept asking me what time Uncle Chris, Ma and Shirley were going to be here. We always open our presents to each other on Christmas Eve, so they were quite anxious.

So, after our meal and the thousandeth time of being asked when we were going to open presents, we let the baby gate down to the living room and let them go at it. We have tried to cut way back on the presents we give, and our house still looks like Toys 'R Us with all the treasures they get from everyone else. I am so grateful that my children are so loved.

My mother wasn't able to stay overnight with us this year like she normally does, and we missed her. The children got in bed later than normal and went to bed rather quickly. We forgot to put out Santa's cookies and Cheerwine, so I got back up to do that and clean up the kitchen.