Christmas 2016

Every year I strive to do it better than the last.

This year I think I did.

I decorated more. I cooked/baked more. I got better presents. I spend (less) money. I did a better job wrapping. I was better with the Elf. I took a picture of Santa in our living room to show the kids. We left more goodies out on Christmas Eve.  We remembered to sprinkle reindeer food in the lawn. We went to Christmas Eve service. We watched more Christmas movies. We put out more lights.

Overall.... I was proud of myself on how I handled the holidays this year.

There were some areas where I slacked though.... which I am OK with.

I didn't send out Christmas cards this year. I only got the dog one gift, instead of two. I took the tree and decorations down earlier than normal. I was more depressed this year. I failed at Black Friday Shopping and therefore was still shopping on December 23rd.

Leo and Cece get more and more fun every year.... and I think it will only get better the older they get.

This year Leo asked for a basketball, basketball hoop, Rocket Booster, and "shoot guns".

He got all except the Rocket Booster. I search Google for weeks..... only thing I found was made by NASA, weighted about 13 tons, and cost about $4 billion.

He also got a keyboard, remote control car, PJs/underware/socks, bed blanket from Nonnie,  race car track from Moe-Moe and Pa Pa, tickets to see Daniel Tiger from Aunt Lisa and Uncle Casey, and about a dozen other mind blowing toys from Aunt Jilly! About about 4 Nerf guns...... which is probably going to be the reason I have to for up my anxiety meds.

Leo didn't care much for our Elf, Cecile. He wasn't into searching for him in the morning and when I threatened to send Cecile back to the North Pole, Leo offered to help him pack.

We had to wake Leo up on Christmas morning... and he was grumpy of course... but perked up soon enough! He is like his Daddy. He doesn't get too excited about anything..... unless its sports or horse  related. I love that boy more than my morning coffee. And that's A LOT.

Cece is a Christmas freak!!!! And I love it! She was REALLY into Christmas this year! She loved to drive around and look at lights! She loved helping me bake! She helped me wrap gifts and was constantly singing all the wrong word to Jingle Bells! She reminded Leo on a daily basis that "Santa was watching" and told us all "Merry Christmas" every.single.day.

Santa was good to Cece Grace... she got a Disney Princess dollhouse, guitar, stand-up mic, and amp, babydoll, Barbie pool, mermaid Barbie, clothes, a vanity set from Miss Wendy and Mr. Joe that was her favorite, a long Rapunzel wig that she wore alllllll day and even to the family Christmas party that night, where she asked me, "Mommy, do you think anyone will recognize me?" (sidenote: the wig had to be trashed that night cause it was making her break out in hives. She was devastated.). She got some new make-up, perfume, tap shoes from Nonnie, water beads from Aunt Jilly, tickets to see Daniel Tiger from Aunt Lisa and Uncle Casey, and an easy bake oven from Moe Moe and Papa.

She made sure to tell anyone who asked, "I didn't get any coal!" Good girl, Cece!

The Christmas season really is magical. I hate to see it end every year and to be honest, it takes me a few days to perk back up after its all said and done. Next Christmas isn't guaranteed to any of us, so that could have been all of our last..... but I hope not. I hope next Christmas rolls around and we do it all over again, only better! Thank you, Jesus for being born and for allowing all of us to celebrate Your birth!!