We went to the Christmas Eve service at church on Saturday evening. There was not any child care so the kids attended the service with us and they were so good. They stood and enjoyed the songs, then sat quietly still and listened to the message. They both participated in the candle lighting at the end and were very proud to join in, I think. Afterwards the church provided small private tables in another room with supplies for the Lord’s supper so that families could go observe the Lord’s supper together on their own. I thought that was a really nice touch and was very happy to remember Jesus in the manner that He told us to with our family (Nonnie, Poppy, Millie, Luke, Anna, and Tyler were all with us.)
We went back to Nonnie and Poppy’s house, where there were amazing soups waiting for us. We enjoyed potato soup and shrimp chicken and sausage gumbo in bread bowls from Panera…YUM!!
After dinner is when we let the kids open their “terrible presents.” Of course, after those, they got to each open one REAL present…they opened their presents from Tyler.
Shelby got her Easy Bake oven, so she said that Santa didn’t have to bring her that any more 
She made chocolate chip cookies in it that night, and has used it several times since then…but begs to use it every night! I finally told her that we could do it once a week, so she wrote “EAZY” once a week on her calendar from Gram that is hanging in her room.
Coleman got Beyblades. He played with them for the rest of the night!
We didn’t want to keep the kids out too late on Christmas Eve, but when we headed home it was still, “Hurry up! I think Santa’s coming soon!” Easiest bed time ever!! Both kids were running around in a rush so that Santa wouldn’t see that they were still awake and pass our house. Shelby frantically found her little bag of reindeer food (oats and glitter) she had made at school and practically threw it into our hands saying, “Can you put this on the front yard for me?! I have to get in bed!!!” They went to bed and we didn’t hear a peep from them again …
… until NINE O’CLOCK the next morning! Jeff and I were up and about, making coffee, and then just sitting around waiting on our kids to wake up. The Jones clan even showed up before Shelby and Coleman were out of bed! I am positive that I never slept at all on Christmas Eve as a kid- and when I did, I was up way before the sunlight. Little weirdos!!!
During all that good sleep, Santa did fill up those stockings!
This was Shelby’s gift to us that she made at school and wrapped. The 2 girls on her drawing are saying, “I love my family!” and “I love Christmas it’s Jesuses Birthday” Awww. Inside this wrapping was a 2012 calendar full of writing and handprint drawings. So special for us to use the whole year long!
When they finally woke up, they knew they were going to look in the backyard since they asked Santa for a trampoline. Shelby saw it and sprinted out to it, touched it and sprinted back…it was COLD out there, but I guess she had to touch it to make sure it was real. Her doggy followed her, of course. Coleman watched and smiled- he trusted her touch I suppose!
“Ahhhh! It’s cold!”
Back inside…
As always, they went through stockings before opening presents.
Aunt Anna got Coleman a soccer ball, cleats, and shin guards…he loves them and is READY to play soccer this spring!
Aunt Millie and Unkle Luke got Shelby some shimmery Toms. She read to us from the box about how Toms donates a pair to a person in need when a pair is bought (“One for One”)
The kids took turns opening presents and were very thankful for all their gifts…
Shelby liked showing hers off…
After that, we adults each opened our presents from the kids. Shelby went shopping at her school store and Coleman went shopping at the Dollar Store, and they each picked out thoughtful gifts for everyone. They definitely enjoyed buying and wrapping their gifts, and I hope it taught them about how giving is just as satisfying and joyful as receiving.
The rest of the day was spent being lazy, being outdoors, jumping, and smoking ribs! Family time at its finest!!
It was certainly a very Merry Christmas.
0 comments:
Post a Comment