Christmas

We had a wonderful, fun Christmas this year. We were around lots of family, and the kids loved all the time they were able to visit with everyone. My dad and my sister's family came into to town. Also, my uncle, aunts, and cousins stayed for a couple of days. We made it to Grandpa Tony and Nana's house for a little bit on Christmas morning, even though it was pouring down rain.
On Christmas Eve, Corinne had heard so much about Santa coming to our house, that after we had put out the milk and fudge (not a cookie in the house) and carrots (for the reindeer) all hell broke loose. As soon as it was time for bed she freaked out. Anyone who has been around my daughter knows that she is very wary of strangers, especially male strangers. The thought of a big, jolly man creeping around her house while she slept terrified this two year old. It took a tag team of John and I taking turns going into her room about every five minutes for over an hour before she finally went to sleep. She was crying, saying she was scared of Santa and that he was going to "GET HER." Every so often she would hear a sound, start to panic, and ask, "Is that Santa?" We finally told her that Santa can't get past the house alarm, so he leaves the presents on the front porch. That seemed to relieve her a bit. We've made her street smart too soon. If a kid can't trust Santa, well then, who in the world can they trust? Santa understood and graciously left gifts at the front door. The kids had to drag us out of bed, and I was trying to not be grumpy, but how do they automatically wake up at dawn on Christmas? Any other day, they would have slept until, at least, 9:00. I quickly guzzled some coffee and became somewhat more holly and jolly. John and I enjoyed watching all the ripping and tearing, but not until we read every account of Jesus's birth out of the New Testament. Christian was becoming irritated that it was in multiple books.
Coy's dreams came true with his talking Glenda doll (don't ask) and his Jack in the Box. He's quite a unique kid. Don't worry, I also got him the Tin Man and Cowardly Lion figures so it would be a bit more manly. All other presents were ignored, and Coy spent the day after Christmas re-wrapping his Jack in the Box so he could experience the joy of opening it over and over again. He's a free bird and doesn't give a hoot about what anybody else is doing. He was in his own ecstatic little world with Jack and Glenda.
Christian was thrilled with his new Super Ball shoes that have bouncy balls all over the soles, but he was quickly disappointed when he realized they didn't make him jump higher. He gave his little brother a black eye on Christmas afternoon with his new light saber. Coy is a peaceful kid and decided he didn't enjoy fighting like a Jedi. So, Christian tormented everyone else with it until Grandpa finally hid them. The carpet skates Santa brought Christian were a lot of fun until I tried them out and pulled something that wasn't supposed to be pulled. Corinne's favorites were her new princess tricycle and her dress-up trunk. Oh, yes, and the Sleeping Beauty tea set and tea table have already gotten much use. Corinne had a hard time understanding that when the presents were all opened, that was it. She had a few days of opening presents, so when they were finally gone, she was very upset. The question of the day was, "Where's my present, mommy?" How do you explain to a two year old that Christmas is supposed to be a one day thing?
So, to sum it all up, we had a happy holiday filled with tons of food (I'm now regretting this part), fun with the fam, and much gratefulness for our Savior.