"The Best Christmas Ever"

December 24th is my Mom's Birthday so it is a tradition to go to her house for Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, she does all of the cooking. We offer but she usually refuses. Her birthday gets morphed into Christmas way too easily. Several years ago my Sister and Step-Dad threw a surprise birthday party for her. She said it was the first "real" birthday party she had ever had. This year she opened her presents and we ate birthday cake. (We ate half of it before we realized that we hadn't sung "Happy Birthday to You.") Grandma is always a good sport but we really need to make an effort to break away from the habit of rushing right into our Christmas festivities.
As usual, we rushed right into our Christmas festivities this year. We got dressed in our nativity costumes. Jackson and Sheldon both wanted to be the angel. Jackson pouted saying "If I don't get the be the angel, I don't want to do it." Sheldon was easily convinced to give up his wings and became Jospeh instead. Annelise played Mary. Dad, Grandpa and Drew were the Wise Men. Grandma, Aunt Marnie, Abrielle and Mom were shepards with Sadie as our lone Sheep. As tradition, Uncle Andy was the faithful narrator.


The highlight of the night was when Jackson and Boomer started kissing each other on the lips repetitively during the program. They have never done that before and we aren't sure what brought it on. Perhaps the Christmas song is true:"It's that time of year, When the world falls in love."

Following the Nativity, We opened presents from each other. Jackson was very excited when Boomer received a hot wheels car saying "Boomer, it's just what you wanted." Later Jackson told me that he was sad he didn't get what he wanted (spy goggles). He felt better when I explained that we would open more presents tomorrow and that Santa still hadn't come yet. Jackson told us the week before Christmas that he wanted spy goggles and Boomer (was easily convinced that he) wanted "hot cars with a roller coaster that goes around and around." (That's three year old for Hot Wheels with a cool track). Grandma and Grandpa are always very generous and we received some great gifts.

Before bed Jackson helped put out reindeer food for Santa's reindeer as well as hot chocolate and our last cookie for Santa.
Christmas morning, the boys opened their presents Jackson liked the cookies and candy in his stocking, he thought the pajamas were OK, he even liked the Tinkertoys alright. However, it wasn't until he opened up his spy goggles that we heard "This is the best Christmas Ever." Boomer was so excited to get his "hot cars" and is still telling me that "Santa's nice." He also has been wanting an apron like Jackson's so mom obliged. Jon got some movies, books and music. He bought himself a remote control helicopter so he would have something fun. (Note to self: Get Jon something fun for Christmas next year.)
But the Christmas present that was least expected and possibly most appreciated was Dad surprising Mom (that's me) with a Vitamix. (You may have seen the demonstrations for this high performance blender at Costco.) Anyway, It was my secret wish from Santa. I can agree with Jackson this was "the best Christmas ever".