We had our first annual family book exchange, and it was a HUGE hit. We exchanged names a few weeks ago, and amazingly, everyone was able to keep it a secret! We opened them one-by-one, and each book was met with excitement. It was just so fun--definitely a tradition that we will be keeping!
Per tradition, that afternoon we went out to eat, and the kids chose PF Changs. Rick was a good sport--he doesn't like Chinese food--because they really wanted to try it. They LOVED it, and even used chopsticks the whole time! We ordered six different dishes and shared them all--it was so fun, and there wasn't a bite left!
When we got home, the kids changed into their Christmas pajamas and we headed over to the McAffees' house. The Hulse Family was there too, and we all brought a few different Christmas treats to share. After munching on treats, the kids went to play, and the adults played games and chatted. There was also a production of the Nativity, directed and performed by all of the kids! They did such a great job, with the staging, costumes, and everything. It was a wonderful evening with friends.
We got home late, around 10pm, and after we put out sugar & carrots for the reindeer and cookies for Santa, sprinkled reindeer feed on the lawn, read Christmas stories, and had family prayer, we tucked the kids into bed, then got to work.
Rick and I have a tradition of wrapping all the gifts together on Christmas Eve, and we still love it! We turn on a Christmas movie, drink hot chocolate, and get everything ready for the next morning. We were all finished and in bed by midnight--success!
The next morning the kids woke us up before 6am, but we told them we weren't getting up until 6am. At 6am on the dot, they were back in our room, so sleeping in was clearly not an option. :) We open stockings first, then gifts, opening them one-by-one. We had a simple Christmas this year--I've been on a mission to simplify, and we also just don't have the space here for any more toys. But the kids were happy, and we were happy, and it was just what we needed.
We had German Pancakes, hash browns, sausage, and orange juice for breakfast. And candy--lots of it! It's one of the only days of the year where I let the kids eat what they want to, and they love it. The rest of the day we stayed in our jammies, watched movies, played games, played with toys, and snacked on yummy food that we set out on the counter for everyone to get when they wanted to. It was perfectly relaxing--another wonderful Christmas!
