Pop Pop and Grandma Visit

Grandpa & Grandma made the long drive from Michigan to be with the kids while they opened their gifts. You can see how excited the kids were in the pics. They asked every day when Grandpa and Grandma were going to arrive. Any answer that was not the current day was unacceptable.

This knitted hat by Grandma has reflective yarn.

Pillow of all the grandkids' hands by Aunt C.

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Merry Christmas!

[Sorry, this is super long! I'm writing so I remember for next year.]

"And the Word was made Flesh and made His dwelling among us." (John 1:14) We did an Advent program at home through Formed.org. It was helpful to the kids, who asked good questions after each lesson.

Confession and Mass preceded our celebration at home. We are never able to take church pictures because our crew is totally wild. I spent most of our confession time herding the youngest two in the crypt and finding the Baraga quote in the Our Lady of Brezje chapel. The big boys did great at confession, so-so at the 8pm Mass.

Thankfully, everyone slept until 7:30am on Christmas morning, which was an amazing gift in itself!

Once awake, the kids sorted presents and watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

DH prepared cinnamon rolls, homemade hash browns, egg white omelettes, and specialty coffee. I showered.

Presents are my department. This year, I was determined to have a system. This tweaked jingle worked for me this year; and I think I will continue it in coming years: 

Something to have, 
something to share, 
something to read, 
something to wear.

We already have one who doesn't believe in Santa. So, I wanted to be extra-sure that he keeps his sense of wonder. 

Last year was such a big disappointment due to my herniated disc. I was determined to make this Christmas wonderful and awe-inspiring! Presents slowly appeared in groups under the tree. When we returned from Christmas Mass, everyone had one more gift that he hadn't seen or counted yet.

"Look! More presents!! Who put those there?" they asked. The Firstborn looked thoughtful. The Engineer had bright eyes and big smiles. He also asked me if St. Nicholas came down from heaven to be at our "Breakfast with Santa." Apparently, he didn't notice the huge "87" jersey underneath the Santa shirt. LOL. He wants to believe. So, I let him.

This one was entertained before breakfast with a clean beer bottle.

He was in good spirits until after presents.

 You can see how excited they were while waiting for it to be gift-opening time.

 Sweet Pea did a dance. To be fair, she dances and sings all the time, whether or not anticipating gift-opening:

DH's breakfast was delicious. I'm so grateful he helped make this morning special for everyone.

His cinnamon rolls were the best I've tasted. He used the Test Kitchen recipe.

We've adopted DH's family custom of opening one gift at a time. That way, each child practices listening and being happy when something nice happens to their siblings.

These were her "something to share." She immediately shared them with everyone without prompting.

These are one of his favorites. He was thrilled to have a big set; and he shared them without prompting as well.

The kids loved their ornaments from Aunt R:

The Eldest was on unwrapping duty when there was too much tape.

The Engineer had been asking for this truffle chocolate tree. "That's the one I want. That's my favorite." Not a square box of them. A tree box. I was super lucky that one, solitary box was left at Target six days before Christmas.

He has wanted a starter set of Legos for a long time, too. Unfortunately, after the Eldest got regular-sized Legos, the Engineer lost his interest in Duplos. Costco had 30-50% off deals in October. I bought them immediately.

Mr. Serious is obsessed with Pua of the Moana doll set we gave Sweet Pea.

This one received two, smaller Star Wars sets because he already had a basic Lego set. Thankfully, no one decided the gifting was unfair. We spent about the same amount on everyone.

I really did not know which would be perceived as better: two themed sets that were smaller, or one large set of basic pieces.

The Moana doll. I don't recall why Mr. Serious is crying, but it's likely he closed his finger in a drawer. That is almost always the reason of late.

They saw the M&M yard stick at Wegmans and immediately asked if we could get one. They did not know I had already bought one from Aldi and had it in the back of DH's car. (Just patted myself on the back in my head when they asked.)

The gifts were good for the day's entertainment.

DH asked for some super amazing flour for Neapolitan-style pizza. So, he received imported San Marzano canned tomatoes, and a food scale as well. Of course, I had to read up on it to be sure I was getting the right things. Several articles in, I landed on the one (linked above), which included the science behind the pizza.

Sweet Pea changed into a fancy dress, which she does every day, and handed DH his presents. She danced around while he opened them. She is such a Daddy's girl!

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Preparations...

I am just so grateful for these work-less weekends! We went to Mass and discovered the priest who offered our wedding Mass was offering Mass again. He had a rock-star homily to go along with today's Gospel. It was all about using words to build others up like Mary. Though I go to church for Jesus, not particular priests, it's really helpful to hear good preaching.

Don't judge me for that matted hair. She gets it if she lies down for 5 seconds. And she had just awaken in this pic.

These boys will be super happy when they see their Christmas gifts. Costco for the win!

Sent by a couple of neighbors:

The Engineer had to put the advent wreath here. We haven't been able to keep an actual wreath since we've had two-year-olds. One day...

We bought colored lights and put them on our railing and on the old, artificial tree in the boys' room, which filled the Firstborn with such joy that he gave a huge, spontaneous hug upon his return from school.

I love it when my kids are so filled with joy that they hug me and tell me they love me. It's these moments when I wonder what I ever did before I was a mom. It's such a great life!

They asked for this shot but could not hold still -- and my accessible light/shutter speed could not compensate. Still, it's sweet. It reminds me of some pics of my older sister, I, and Matthew.

I cannot get enough of these bokeh shots.

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