Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas #2

As I think I mentioned before, we have 3 Christmases: one with Ryan's family, one with our own family, and one with my family.  We take turns visiting our families over the holidays and never spend Thanksgiving or Christmas at our own house, which, as the kids get older, may change but works for now.

So, before we left to do Christmas with my family, we had our own at our house.  It basically involved Ryan reading the Christmas story, singing "Happy Birthday," and opening gifts--no special meal, no special tradition, nothin'.  I could have done more, but we were leaving in the afternoon for St. Louis, and I still had to finish laundry and pack--all after a busy week of work and preparing for my school Christmas party.  There is only so much I can handle!

The kiddos had fun, and Ryan and I did well this year.  They all seemed to like their gifts--yay!  A couple of years ago we decided to just do 3 gifts for each child.  It helps because their birthdays are pretty close to Christmas, but it made my life so much easier once we made that change.  I know some families have some significance to each gift, but I just buy three.  Perhaps next year we will change that, too.
Grant received a train car from Jack.  Jack went shopping and thought of Grant when he saw it in the $1 bin.  Grant was so excited that he hugged it.  So sweet.

Jack chose a wand for Caroline, which broke 2 seconds after she opened it.  There is something to be said for the age recommendation "4+".

Jack with his gifts: Whiff (a Thomas train from "Misty Island Rescue--he likes the glasses on it.), Pandy (the stuffed panda bear), and the Diego outfit and rescue pack.

Caroline got a backpack, purse, and toy phone.  She walked around with her backpack and purse all morning.  I love it!

Grant playing with a couple of his gifts: Hiro (from "Hero of the Rails"--a Thomas movie) and a drawbridge.  He still loves trains, but I think his obsession is beginning to wane slightly.  I feel a bit sad when I think about it as I associate him so closely with trains.  Perhaps I'm wrong, though.  Maybe he will always have a love of trains.  It's sort of sad when you see your child grow out of something that has always interested him. :(

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