Now This is Christmas!

As happened yesterday, we've been creating traditions as we go along. One that will (I expect) become my favorite is that B10 woke up first this morning (at a very reasonable 7:55 a.m.).

Wanting a bit more sleep and time to get dressed, we informed him that he was responsible for making breakfast.


20 minutes later, Hubby and I sat down with the Caterpillars for a delightful meal. Then we moved into the living room to open our family presents.

Legos were exchanged and both Caterpillars loved their non-Lego gifts. Every time we've been to Barnes and Noble in the last 6 months, B10 has looked at the same book. It's about the history of Monsters and how their mythology has grown through time. The book itself is large and green, with shiny jewels on the cover - not the kind of book we pick up when we go to the store regularly. He was ecstatic when he opened it this morning.

CW, on the other hand, has been fascinated with Cletus on Fox for a couple of years now. Fox has a robot (it looks sort of like a Transformer) that dances and does football moves during commercial breaks when they air a NFL game. His name is Cletus - and CW just loves him. Hubby and I have looked on and off, but never found one that could be bought. Until this year. Please note the progression of joy on CW's face as he realizes what is in the box.





CW is in love.


The Caterpillars picked out a new family Wii game for Hubby. Our entire family enjoys the Nintendo Mario games (we've played the very old ones for the Caterpillars to watch) and so I was really happy when we found this one created especially for the Wii - Super Mario Galaxy.


I also received a bevy of delightful gifts.


A blanket to keep me warm (it matches the master bedroom and the den), the Willow Tree that represents Baby Larva, the Wii game I wished for (Lego Indian Jones) and an exquisite pearl necklace and earring set.

We picked up the wrapping paper trash and let the Caterpillars play for a bit in their room with their Legos. Then it was time to get the house ready for dinner.

Guests began arriving at 3 p.m. - Aunt HappyOne and her family arrived first, which was wonderful, she really helped me finish setting everything out.

We had such a great time. I was surprised by how well 25 people fit into the house (9 of whom were under the age of 8). Next time, we'll need to figure out how to keep the house cooler - the odd December weather seemed to throw everything off. (It's hard for the house to be cool, when it's 65 outside!)


After everyone left, Hubby and I did a quick clean around the house - while the Caterpillars bathed and cleaned up their room. By 8 p.m. we were all sitting in the den, so Hubby could play his new game. We spent almost 3 hours as a family, enjoying our time together, before turning off the game and making mugs of hot chocolate.


Edelweiss made us homemade marshmallows for Christmas, so we topped our drinks with one slowly-melting-cube-o-sugar. The Caterpillars carefully sat around the Christmas Tree and watched it twinkle while we talked about our favorite parts of the week.



A perfect tradition born.


I hope your Christmas was merry and bright. And that the child who was born is a Savior you trust.


~Lone Butterfly )i(