The last few days before Christmas were filled with a lot of traditions that kids look forward to every year, and a Christmas performance at Atticus's school. Atticus had his Christmas program on Wednesday afternoon, and it was pretty cute. His favorite song you could tell was 10 Little Angels.
Friday was the last day of school, and I got a call from Briley that she was sick so I came to get her early. Not for sure what it was because she got sick once and then it was over. I picked up the other kids at school and took them down to Union Station to see the holiday train. This is always a highlight for Atticus, and he wanted to explore every part of Union Station.
The next day we made our Christmas cookies during the day, and then that night Briley went to her friend's house for a holiday party. We also made Christmas cards to take to the nursing home for Christmas. The other three made a fort to sleep in up in the loft that night.
Sunday was Church and then we spent time finishing up loose ends for Christmas. Cookies were iced, and wrapping was finished. That night the kids watched Christmas Vacation and slept by the Christmas tree. This is probably at the top of the tradition list so they were very excited.
Monday evening we went to the Plaza for dinner at Rye. Dinner was amazing as usual and then we walked around to look at the lights. It was so beautiful outside. 50's in December is pretty amazing. We drove along Ward Parkway on our way home to see the neighborhood lights, and then it was home for the sibling gift exchange. Briley gave Baylor a dude perfect basketball hoop, Baylor gave Finley a penguin shaped sled, Finley gave Atticus a Cars toy, and Atticus gave Briley a clothes hamper and shirt. They then unwrapped their new Christmas pajamas, and were off to get ready for bed. We read T'was the Night Before Christmas, sat the cookies out for Santa, and reindeer food was put in the yard before going off to bed.
The next morning we heard Briley taking a shower before 5:00 a.m. They knew we weren't coming out of our room until 6:30, but they were all up moving around upstairs, and at precisely 6:30 they began to yell at us to get up. We got the lights on, and coffee going before we told them they could come down. There were some excited kids as they ran down the stairs to see what awaited them under the tree. Briley got a Garmin watch for all her triathlons, Baylor got a new bike, Finley got an American Girl doll, and Atticus got a Lionel train set. We then passed around gifts before I let them open them all. The funniest gift was Baylors. I got him a new chair for his desk since he broke his last year. He had been drooling over his big present for a week, and showed it to all the neighbor kids that came over. He could not wait to get that gift open, and then it was just a chair. After all was unwrapped, Andy and I exchanged our gifts. He had bought a bike earlier and wanted that to be his Christmas present, but I did get him some dress shirts, sandals for his triathlons, and a few other smaller gifts. Andy got me a new MacBook which I desperately needed, but I hate change. It's hard to give up my old computer that I got about nine years ago. The last present that I gave out was a calendar for each child with pictures of the last year. When they got to February, it was all pictures of past Disney trips. Looking through that month it shows that we are going to Disneyland! The kids unfortunately lack the enthusiasm that Andy and I always hope to see, but as the day went on they really began to get excited. They have been watching rides on you tube, and telling everyone about their trip to California. I am just as excited as they are to get some sunshine this winter!
We ate our breakfast, and then began to pack up the car to go back home.
Santa came to visit Andy's parent's house which is always a highlight for the kids. We then went over to have dinner at Rick and Lisa's house. We look forward to going over there on Christmas Eve. We then got ready for Midnight Mass in Edina. It was beautiful as always, and I enjoyed the fact that it was warmer weather so we weren't so cold getting dressed up and going to Church.
We got back to the house about 2:00a.m. and crashed.
The next morning was another Christmas morning filled with a whole lot of excitement. The kids did a better job of being patient, and waiting to get their gifts from Grandma and Papa. Baylor got a sled and he can't wait for the next snow, Atticus got a real tool set that needs to be hidden until he is older😉, Finley got American Girl matching pj's, and Briley got a very sweet sign that she is excited to hang in her room. We had a yummy breakfast, and then it was off to my Dad's to unwrap a few gifts over there. Dad gave Baylor a shuffle board table that he has been playing with non stop, Briley got a new lego set, Finley a Barbie and a kit to design clothes, and Atticus a new scooter. All were excited about their gifts.
We had dinner that night with Andy's family. His grandparents were able to come, and it was good to see them along with Janet. After dinner, we had our sibling and cousin gift exchange before packing up to go to my Mom's.
We had one final Christmas the next morning at my Mom's. The kids were excited for another morning, and Baylor was really happy to get his Airzooka. He annoyed everyone by the time the day was done. We spent the day relaxing, and had another great dinner that night.
It was a busy Christmas as usual, but filled with family time and memories.
We left to go back home on Saturday afternoon, and began the process of putting things away. On Sunday, Andy and I took Briley to see the Christmas Carol. It was one of her Christmas presents and she was looking forward to a night out with Mom and Dad. The show was in a smaller theater in KC, and I loved how much you felt a part of the show. I think Briley really enjoyed going. As we were walking out it began to snow one of those pretty snows, so perfect. We then went to Mission Taco for dinner before going back home. Such a fun night out in the city, and perfect ending to Christmas.
We decided to stay home this year for New Year's and do a fancy dinner. We made prime rib, and it was so yummy. Andy and I opened up a bottle of wine from our California trip last February, and we spent the evening playing games. We rang in the New Year with New York, and then the kids were off to bed. After the hustle and bustle of Christmas, it is nice to just stay in.
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