Wayne and I were up late wrapping gifts and laying them under the tree.
Santa brought Grace and Caroline an art easel and I felt the need to make smocks for the girls. {thanks Christensen cousins for the groovy shades!} So, at 3am Wayne went to bed and I got out some fabric and the iron-on vinyl I bought, and set out making 2 smocks. 2 1/2 hours later I was finishing up the FIRST smock and Christina woke up...then Thomas. I was cracking up..."Go back to bed, I'm working on a surprise!" I was sharing this story with my older sister on the phone and she said, "That's so mom." I wouldn't be surprised. All I can say is that projects take a lot longer to finish when you're sleep deprived. I finished Grace's smock (I *heart* iron-on vinyl), and told Christina, Thomas, Wesley, and Grace...."I'm just going to lay down for a minute on the couch while we wait for daddy and Caroline to wake up." I was OUT like light, and woke up at 7am when the whole family emerged to open presents. The kids were so good to wait and let me get a little sleep. I'm sure they studied the gifts out a bit, but if so, it didn't matter.We started with the stockings. Everyone got their mini box of cold cereal, & went in the kitchen for Christmas breakfast. Sorry, Ama, no strada here. Wayne always liked the cereal better, and I'm fine with not cooking Christmas morning.
The family gift exchange was a highlight for sure. Wayne found an unfinished box for Caroline and gave it to her along with some paint so they could work on that project together while he's on vacation. There's a little wooden "C" to go on the box too. Caroline loves to paint and she loved this gift. I made a little pendant necklace for Grace. One side has her baby photo and the other has a letter "g." Christina made Wesley a stuffed frog which Wesley quickly took to. Thomas made Christina a notebook for her to keep her voice lesson sheet music organized. I love the note he put inside..."I love the way you sing! Your voice is 'asume'! I love it! With love, Thomas." Grace made me a little pin cushion that actually sharpens the pins. Wayne helped her sew. Caroline's gift was brilliant. She painted a picture for Wayne of her and him walking together along the banks of a river. She even signed it. We were all impressed and the kids said they all want to paint for their secret pal next year...hmmm. We hung Caroline's masterpiece in our hallway next to our thankful heart. Finally Wesley gave Thomas glow in the dark stars to stick to the ceiling of their room....ok, not so homemade, but Thomas loved them and Wes doesn't get this whole thing yet.
CHRISTMAS DINNER: I think we're on to something this year. When I was deciding on a menu, I wanted to make this dinner a family affair, so I asked the kids what they wanted more than anything for Christmas dinner. The result? Ham, mashed potatoes & gravy, and corn. Done. Wayne made some of his insanely good artisan bread, but we forgot it, and munched on it later. The kicker was that whatever the kids chose to include in our Christmas dinner, they helped prepare. 
Wayne put the ham in the oven {from Trader Joe's...it was delish!}, and then helped Christina with the mashed potatoes, and helped Thomas make a rue followed by gravy. It was good! I was so impressed with our kids' cooking. Wayne said the best part was when they could see the food turning into the end product, like when Thomas was whisking the gravy, and all of a sudden it thickened and darkened, and he gasped, "Hey, it's looking like gravy!" Christina did the same with the mashed potatoes. 
It was nice having the help in the kitchen while I set the table with Grace and Caroline. I love that Wayne is talented in the kitchen. My tummy loves it too.
Christmas cramming means there will be Christmas napping.....or at least an attempt. I have to say, as much as I wanted some zzzzz's, I'll take this kind of nap ANY day. The perfect picture of contentment would be if Wayne were in this photo too, but this is the next best thing.
A few highlights on the gift giving that took place:
Santa brought a "new" piano! I was thrilled when Christina ran to the garage and quickly found the bin with the piano music, brought it all upstairs and put it all in the piano bench. She sat down at the piano and was rusty for a little bit, but quickly picked up where she left off after a 4 year hiatus. She's good!
The family gift exchange was a highlight for sure. Wayne found an unfinished box for Caroline and gave it to her along with some paint so they could work on that project together while he's on vacation. There's a little wooden "C" to go on the box too. Caroline loves to paint and she loved this gift. I made a little pendant necklace for Grace. One side has her baby photo and the other has a letter "g." Christina made Wesley a stuffed frog which Wesley quickly took to. Thomas made Christina a notebook for her to keep her voice lesson sheet music organized. I love the note he put inside..."I love the way you sing! Your voice is 'asume'! I love it! With love, Thomas." Grace made me a little pin cushion that actually sharpens the pins. Wayne helped her sew. Caroline's gift was brilliant. She painted a picture for Wayne of her and him walking together along the banks of a river. She even signed it. We were all impressed and the kids said they all want to paint for their secret pal next year...hmmm. We hung Caroline's masterpiece in our hallway next to our thankful heart. Finally Wesley gave Thomas glow in the dark stars to stick to the ceiling of their room....ok, not so homemade, but Thomas loved them and Wes doesn't get this whole thing yet.More memorable gifts....I made Thomas a jedi robe out of brown fleece. The sleeves ended up being a good 6 inches too long, but he LOVED it.
The blankets were a huge hit. The fleece is so soft and cozy. The kids are snuggled in them as I type.
I found inexpensive journals at Borders for Christina, Thomas, & Grace and included a note on top that read, "This is a scripture journal. Each morning when you read your scriptures, record your favorite verse and what it means to you...this will warm your heart. Next, go enjoy a mug of hot cocoa which will warm your tummy." So far each of the kids have used their scripture journal and enjoyed at least 3 cups of cocoa. I'm hoping that the cocoa incentive will fade and they will find worth in personal scripture study {although, I'm willing to continue a simple incentive as long as their under our roof!}.
Mid-day, Wayne told the kids that Santa had left one more thing, and to their delight, there was a Wii wrapped and hidden behind the piano. It's been crazy fun, and will be nice active play during the cold winter. The mom in me is glad that our kids will be able to hold their own against their friends and cousins who have Wii's too. Wii notables: Thomas bowled a 218! Caroline has a hilarious "spare" bowling dance. Grace strikes a modeling pose after she bowls. Christina likes creating Wii Mii's {we've got Chewbacca, Fat Albert, Ama, Dude, & Junie B. Jones}. Wayne and I have had a few good tennis matches that have required a dose of Advil.
CHRISTMAS DINNER: I think we're on to something this year. When I was deciding on a menu, I wanted to make this dinner a family affair, so I asked the kids what they wanted more than anything for Christmas dinner. The result? Ham, mashed potatoes & gravy, and corn. Done. Wayne made some of his insanely good artisan bread, but we forgot it, and munched on it later. The kicker was that whatever the kids chose to include in our Christmas dinner, they helped prepare. 
Wayne put the ham in the oven {from Trader Joe's...it was delish!}, and then helped Christina with the mashed potatoes, and helped Thomas make a rue followed by gravy. It was good! I was so impressed with our kids' cooking. Wayne said the best part was when they could see the food turning into the end product, like when Thomas was whisking the gravy, and all of a sudden it thickened and darkened, and he gasped, "Hey, it's looking like gravy!" Christina did the same with the mashed potatoes. 
It was nice having the help in the kitchen while I set the table with Grace and Caroline. I love that Wayne is talented in the kitchen. My tummy loves it too.
Christmas cramming means there will be Christmas napping.....or at least an attempt. I have to say, as much as I wanted some zzzzz's, I'll take this kind of nap ANY day. The perfect picture of contentment would be if Wayne were in this photo too, but this is the next best thing.xo!
love forever,
mom
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