Christmas Morning

Since we usually travel Christmas day, we attempt to keep Christmas morning low-key at home. I still want them to wake up to all the gifts Santa brought them, but have progressively scaled back the orgy of greed, as I affectionately call it. Ben and Emily both had stockings full of goodies that they opened first. Why Santa put toys and such in it along with candy is beyond me. They couldn't care less once they saw the sweet stuff! Being Christmas day and all, they were allowed to enjoy a few pieces first thing in the morning. This is said with complete irony because a few actually means a TON. As you will see, what my children put in their mouths isn't a huge concern(ahem, Ben and his pacifier? Yeah. We're working on it.). They each got some clothes(sigh), books(eh) and a special toy. Ben finally "gets" presents. Up until now, he couldn't have cared less about brightly packaged gifts placed before him. Now he LOVES them and had the best time opening them up. We need to work on his tact, however. He is quite verbal if he doesn't like the gift. He usually says, "No. That's for Emmie. Where's MY present?". Errmmm...that IS your present you little brat! Emily, at least, will play along, no matter what the gift. She will clutch it to her and say "Thank-you!" when prompted. As for Benjamin...yeah. We're working on it!


Less than enthused by his gift of books.

Much more pleased by his new Thomas the Train toy!

Emily liked the candy the best.

But she also LOVED her new Elmo toy!