Our Christmas celebration started as it should: Christmas Eve Mass, with the three older girls singing in the choir. It was, of course, terribly crowded, and Teresa and Augustine were not at their best, but it was a lovely Mass.
We had ham for dinner and then sent the kids off to watch Cricket on the Hearth while we finished wrapping and getting the big presents into the basement. It ended up being a late night. Fortunately, we have kids that love to sleep in, even on Christmas.
They did finally insist on us getting up. Court and I went down and got breakfast started then brought the kids down. After a quick peek into the stockings, we sat down to pray and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, lighting our Christmas candle.
The gifts:
Charlie got the workout program that he had been wanting. When I ordered it, his boot camp date was in April. Now it is in January, and the workout program is a 90 day program. He says he can at least do it until he leaves.
Katherine had a Louis L'Amour Christmas. I signed her up for the Louis L'Amour book club so she will be getting a new, leather-bound book each month. She got a Louis L'Amour calender and one of his books on CD. She also got a Dilbert book with 25 years worth of Dilbert cartoons! Oh, and I can't forget her pop gun from Cabela's! She has been asking for one for years.
Timmy got the game table that he had begged me to buy back in August at a consignment sale. We have had it hidden all this time! I wrapped up the pool sticks and balls, the fussball ball, and the other game pieces, and put them under the tree. When he asked if I had gotten him the table too, I fibbed and said I could only afford the accessories! LOL! After a while, I sent him downstairs to get something out of the fridge and he finally saw his table.
Regina had an artsy Christmas- origami paper, crinkle cut scissors, clay, drawing paper, beeswax candles, etc.
Elizabeth got just what she asked for: a VTech camera and bow and arrow. She also got a knitting mushroom and the Little House books which she and Regina will share.
Clare got a playhut castle. She also got the horses from Toys to Grow On that both Katherine and Elizabeth have gotten in past years.
Teresa got a Belle dress! I thought she would be living in it, but surprisingly, she isn't. She also got a VTech laptop. My goal for her and Augustine was enough similar toys that would keep them busy and not killing each other.
The girls also had lots of play kitchen stuff wrapped up under the tree to go with the Little Tikes play kitchen we got at the same consignment sale as the game table. It is a great kitchen and was a fabulous find!
But Augustine got the gift of the year- A Jumpolene! In an effort to find an outlet for his two year old energy, I bought this family favorite from many years ago. The thing is huge and we had to rearrange lots of furniture, but the kids are ALL having a blast in it!
And finally, Court got his programmable coffee maker, his beloved baking book, and, of course, cigars. I got a lovely teapot from my mom and some Christmas towels, some tea accessories from Court, and a Jimmy Buffett CD which has yet to arrive and seems to be lost in UPS land somewhere. Last but not least, Court gave me 24 Season 7! I have been waiting since it started in January!
We are trying to keep the season going during the Twelve Days of Christmas. The days have been busy and I am afraid we all a little tired and grumpy. Maybe it's time for some popcorn and another good Christmas movie. Last night, we watched Christmas in Connecticut. Maybe It's a Wonderful Life is a good one for tonight.
Merry Christmas!