The excitement of stockings...toothbrushes and underwear and jaw clips and yummy smelling body wash and a few micro machines never disappoint.
The kids, of course, made gifts for us and each other. Briggs gave Staley a book of Christmas coupons and Adelie an original designed Perler bead Harry Potter set with Harry, a pygmy puff, and the Hogwart's Express. Adelie made a Perler bead Gryffindor crest for Briggs and a Ravenclaw crest for Staley along with an original Harry Potter quiz book for both of them. Staley made calligraphy sayings for everyone. Adelie's said, "Always be yourself unless you can be a mermaid. Then be a mermaid." And Briggs' was the same except with wizard instead of mermaid. Zach's said "Try accounting. It's cool." And mine was "Mom's are always right." (Smart girl!) Staley also bought a plastic dolphin figure for Adelie at school using some sort of coupons she had earned. I just love how my kids enjoy making things for each other, and how excited they get about the things their siblings make for them.
The kids had a few individual gifts to open. Sunglasses and swimsuits for the girls...
while Briggs got this hat he had seen one time out shopping with Zach and REALLY wanted.
They also opened a few group gifts. Tickets to an upcoming show in St. Louis for the girls with a fun day of riding the metra train for the boys AND snorkel gear and a spring break reveal for a trip to a few national parks in southern Florida in March. As they get older, I much prefer gifting experiences than things.
But because the kids still like the things as well, each kid also got one bigger gift as well. Briggs got this Harry Potter Lego set.
Adelie got an iPod, and Staley got a running watch.
Zach and I got sweet homemade gifts from the kids and a few fun (or necessary) things from each other as well.
After gift opening, there was a little time to eat cinnamon rolls, start Lego building, set up watch features, and listen to iPod music before heading to church for a really nice Christmas morning service with both sets of grandparents and Uncle Ethan joining us.
After church, we enjoyed a lazy afternoon of relaxing and playing with new stuff before heading to Grammie and Grandpa's house for a full Christmas dinner with them, Uncle Ethan, and Miss Vickie. The dinner was scrumptious, the company was lovely, and the time for the kids to play with Uncle Ethan was probably the highlight.
It was a merry Christmas indeed!
