Christmas Fun

Here is the tree all ready to go with presents under the tree and cookies and milk ready for Santa. Gina even made sure there was a table cloth on the little table for the milk and cookies.

It took a while to get the kids settled at night since they were so excited. But at least they didn't get up at the crack of dawn. Instead they let us sleep until 8:30am.

Gina got her roller skates which she has been talking about for months. Andrew got several lego kits, including one from Star Wars. Dylan got a Mr. Potato head and several other toys but his favorites were a bag of M&Ms and a pack of gum. He carried them all morning, and wouldn't open his other presents without help. The writing on the package of M&Ms was starting to disappear before he finally got to open it up and eat a few.



The kids enjoyed playing with their new toys all afternoon though Gina didn't get to try out her skates until the next day because we couldn't find her helmet.

After Dylan's nap it was off to my cousin Mollie's house for a delicious Christmas dinner of coq au vin.

The kids had fun playing with their cousin Declan's new toys and he was great with sharing.
The blue ukelele was his favorite present, he even took his nap with it. Eventually all the other kids got a turn with it as well and Declan didn't complain. Gina led them on a merry game of hide and seek and then chase through the little house.

Christmas Eve

We finally got our Christmas tree up on Christmas eve. We had bought the tree over the weekend but didn't put it up until Wednesday morning. Vic had to go to work so he set it up in the stand and then the kids and I set to work putting on the lights and ornaments.

Gina was very excited about Christmas coming. When she first got up in the morning, she set up a small table in the living room and put out the cookies and milk for Santa. Of course, Dylan came along and ate the cookies. Then all day he talked about "ate Santa's cookies". Then just before bed, Gina set up the cookies again and once again Dylan came along and ate the cookies. Finally, Gina got to put the cookies out when Dylan was safe in his crib.

The Nutcracker

Today I took Gina and Andrew to see a performance of the Nutcracker along with Nana. It was a children's matinee so it was only the first part, about an hour long. We saw the same performance last year and Andrew was scared of the loud canon.

Out in front they had the performers. Both kids loved to see them up close but didn't want to get close for a picture. I loved seeing the Nutcracker as a kid and it is fun going again with my own kids. Gina enjoyed the performance but announced it was too short. Andrew on the other hand, once again was really scared by the loud cannon (It is really LOUD) and started crying at that point. He seemed to enjoy the other parts of the performance but announced that he wasn't going to go next year. I guess next year I will take Gina to a full length performance and see if we can find one with a cannon that isn't as loud.

Visit with Santa

On Sunday we went to Los Gatos so that the kids could tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. All three were very excited. Of course, it was a little wet out but the rain held off for the most part while we stood in line. For 40 minutes. I bought some kettle corn to munch on while we waited and Dylan was happy to sit in the stroller for most of the time.

Gina walked right up when it was her turn and listened carefully and then told Santa what she wanted for Christmas. Then Andrew walked up, a little bit more tentatively but he was eager to ask for his Star Wars lego set. He even smiled when I took his picture. Dylan walked up on his own as well, but wouldn't say a word or smile. Then I got a picture with all three. Overall, a successful outing to see Santa.