Merry Christmas 2012

Christmas this year was delightful.  On Christmas Eve, plans changed and my Mom and Jeff headed up to see Pop Pop in the hospital, he broke his back in a bad fall, but hopefully is on the mend now.  So instead of spending that evening with them, it was just our little family and we had homemade soups and bread, opened new PJ's and Cameron told the story of the nativity and also read us The Night Before Christmas.  Mason helped to put out the gingersnaps that Santa requested as well as the reindeer food Gavin made at school, some carrots for the deer and a glass of milk for the big man.  While the children were nestled all snug in their beds, Jeremy and I watched It's a Wonderful Life and then went to bed so Santa could come do his work.  The kids didn't get up until 7 am and we opened gifts for a whole hour, with everyone politely taking turns and enjoying every gift.  Our tradition is to get a box of "sugar cereal"  for Christmas and that is always our breakfast for the big day before we break into all of the candy and chocolate that filled our stockings.  Cameron was thrilled with his "big kid legos"- an erector set that will teach him quite a bit of patience.  He made a catapult but it took probably two hours to complete.  Gavin got a razor 360 bike that is really like a big wheel that spins around and sparks.  It was the biggest hit with both the kids and the adults.  Mason got a plasma car that moves by inertia when you wiggle the handle back and forth.  It works better inside on the hardwood flat floor than outside, but Mason was happy with it.  We had an early dinner of steak, shrimp, mashed potatoes, homemade mac and cheese, bread, and green beans, with sparking cider, of course.  We had lime pudding cakes for dessert and watched Men In Black with the kids in between all of the merriment with everyone's new toys.  It was a full day that as always goes by way too quickly but kept smiles on every face all day long.  For one day at least our home was full of peace and love.  We are looking forward to the rest of our break just spending time together.