Christmas Wrap Up

It was certainly the first year we as parents experienced the true adrenaline that can potentially course through the veins of a child on the eve of Christmas. Let's just say, potential was exceeded. I swear there must have been fire crackers shooting straight out of the top of her head. Smoke coming out her feet. It was like someone slipped her ten cups of espresso and laced it with extra caffeine. Like a bouncy ball, you know the ones, the super balls.

That was her. A bouncing super ball, tripped up on Santa's Starbucks Special with a side of peppermint ice cream, topped with sparklers.

And it was singing Christmas carols to boot.

As we sat in the front row of the balcony at church, we watched Hailey's eyes twinkling with excitement, peering over the wall to see other children depict the story of the birth of Christ. I'd like to think it was the story that excited her, but my honest heart knows that was only half...the other half involved the clear knowledge that this meant there were just a few hours between her and presents.

I think the fact that this year she could actually remember what it was like last year, had a big impact on her level of excitement.

In the car on the way home from dinner, Keelyn's excitement began to grow as well, as the enthusiasm bouncing off her big sister's body was infectious. Hailey was squealing in the back seat of the car, hitting pitches we've not heard before. Keelyn, competing for air time, did the same without understanding just why. But she was excited just the same.

Hailey would say, "Santa's comin', Kiki! We go to bed tonight, and then in the mornin'...," and Keelyn would say, "No, want to, No!" Hailey GOT it. Presents were coming. Keelyn on the other hand, could only see as far into the future as the strange man who would be entering her house that evening. She'd tell you Santa was bringing presents, but also that she'd like him not to come. She must have figured he could deliver them another way. He is magic, you know.

As the kids fell to sleep, Santa's elves began the daunting task of MUCH assembly, accompanied by a similar amount of frustration and laughter. The energy of little children filled the house in a way it never had before, even as they lay sleeping.

Christmas morning was perfect. The kids crept down the stairs just as you might imagine they would. Just as you might remember from your own childhood. Hailey, racing down (sliding, to be exact), Keelyn a bit timid, watching first, calling to Hailey for reassurance. They hit the floor, looked to the fire place...and...just stood there. Neither of them knowing what to think. Santa actually brought them bikes. He really did it. Just like they wanted. And more impressive to Hailey than that, Elfie remembered to also tell Santa to add a new hat, scarf, and gloves to the list, and those were delivered as well. Pretty freakin' incredible.

A few seconds later, they seemed all warmed up to the idea, and lots of present opening ensued with speed, precision, excitement, and ample thank you's, hugs and kisses, tryings on, jumping, and running from room to room. Gifts included a baby doll station, a doll house, lots of doll clothes, dolls, and every other girly thing you can possibly imagine. It was all around delightful. I couldn't have asked for a better gift than to have my family all there warm and cozy together, smiling and appreciating the day.

So, Christmas lasted a few days as it always does for us, across a few houses, and with a lot of people...and I'm going to let the pictures show the highlights as usual.

Enjoy.