So this weekend was designated as our Christmas in Virginia. Our Santa counted down the days...5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and Friday was our "Christmas Eve". So, after school on Friday, Tre and I went to do some last minute shopping, ordered pizza for dinner, and then we made a gingerbread train as a family.
After the train was finished, we needed to make some peanut butter cookies to leave for Santa.
Once the cookies were baking in the oven, we got ready to go spread our reindeer food on the front lawn. Three years ago, we began making reindeer food, to lure Santa's reindeer to our house on "Christmas Eve". Last year at the Christmas parade, we were given bags of reindeer food, so we didn't need to make our own. This year, we were again given reindeer food. TJ decided that the reindeer food needed a little extra spice, and thought to put cinnamon in the bags. However, instead of cinnamon, he grabbed cumin! I hope the reindeer enjoy a little Mexican flair in their food!
Finally, after all of the evening's festivities, the kids settled into bed to dream of Santa's sleigh and eight reindeer. They went right to sleep, which was surprising, given their excitement of what would happen that night. Sure enough Santa came, eager to test run the reindeer before the real Christmas Eve, and set up all of the toys, and filled four lovely stockings hung with care.
The next morning I woke up early to shower because I knew we had a long day ahead of us. We had invited our neighbors over for a breakfast of pancakes and waffles cooked by TJ. Then at 10:30, Julienne was having her last dance class and performance for parents. The alarm went off at 6:00, I got up and showered, and then went to wake everyone else up to see Santa's surprises. Everyone was sleepy and reluctant to leave their warm beds, even for presents!
During Santa's visit, he made quite a mess! He spilled milk on the counter, and left cookie crumbs on the floor. Santa always leaves us a mess on Christmas morning, because he is in such a hurry. The kids did not ask to leave Santa coffee this year!
The kids were super excited to see the gifts that Santa left. Julienne had a new cottage to play in, and Tre had a whole big tub of new art supplies, including clay, googly eyes, glitter and lots of other fun art stuff.
We opened all of our gifts, and tried to clean up and organize before our guests came. Not only were our neighbors coming, but Grandad and Grandma were coming with gifts for the kids. They arrived with huge 4-foot tall stockings filled with presents! We all enjoyed delicious pancakes and waffles that TJ made with his new waffle maker. After breakfast, the kids opened their gifts from Grandad and Grandma. Each of the kids received a new digital camera, new games, clothes, and other fun stuff that Grandparents give. TJ and I received a wonderful gift, which is a night away for Valentine's Day, childcare included. That has to be the best gift ever!
After all of the gifts had been opened, we left for Julienne's dance performance. Grandad and Grandma came with us, and Julienne really enjoyed her audience. She was all smiles and was the perfect ballerina. The performance was one of the cutest things I have ever seen, all the little ballerinas, performing for their parents. They were so proud of all the new things we had learned.
It was a great faux Christmas weekend. Now we can focus on packing and getting ready for Christmas #2 in Maine!
1 comment:
You are just too cute, Tanya!! :) Love that holiday spirit!!
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