Christmas

This year Christmas was relaxing.  We weren't painting and moving; enough said.  While we did use the Elf on a Shelf and visited Santa, we really wanted to teach Aric and Kellyn about the reason for Christmas.  When we purchased, wrapped and mailed gifts we talked to the kids about Jesus' birthday and why we give everyone gifts.  They were pretty excited to give and receive gifts this year.  They were so excited about receiving gifts that by the 24th our tree looked like this:

Kellyn initially only pulled the bows off the packages, but by the end she was unwrapping my gifts; not hers, just mine.  I think she was being devious and getting the both of best worlds: the pleasure of unwrapping presents while leaving all of hers alone.

We celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve.  Both Ryan and I grew up celebrating on Christmas Eve.  After dinner and baths we sat down to read the birth of Jesus in the kid's bible.  Then we prayed and lit our German pyramid while discussing the figures in the Nativity.

After a quick picture it was time to open presents.

The kids had fun opening their gifts and playing with some of the toys.

The next day, on Christmas, we did some rearranging in the kid's bedrooms.  They both needed areas opened up for their toys.  We also spent the day breaking up fights over the new toys.  That is the not so fun part of Christmas that Ryan and I don't remember from childhood.

Aric's favorite toys are his new V-Reader, dinosaurs and remote control Mater car.

Kellyn's favorite toys are her dress up clothes, computer, doll house, and the fuchsia jacket that she always wants to wear now.  I might have some problems on laundry day.

We hope your Christmas was as good and relaxing as ours without the fights over toys.