1st, 2nd & 4th Christmas

Santa left a little package next to Grace and Madeline's filled stockings containing 2 bottles, bowls, and spoons for their baby dolls. Grace woke us up on Christmas morning at 7:30 showing us her little package and yelling that Santa had come. Sam and I got out of bed and told her to stay in our room until we got dressed and Madeline woke up. While we were getting dressed and getting the cameras we heard laughing and yelling from Madeline's room. When we went into her room we found Madeline still in her crib playing with her little package from Santa and Grace was jumping up and down. After diaper changes for Madeline and Charlotte, we all went into the living room to see what was there.

Even though Grace had been into the living room 3 times before Sam or I had, she hadn't seen the balance bikes that were by the tree. When she did finally see them, there was a lot of excitement. She got on one and screamed "Santa is a GENIUS!" and started riding around the house. Madeline looked a little confused about the whole situation. She and Charlotte (and Gus and Tucker) were very happy allowing Grace to empty their stockings. Madeline refused to reach inside her own, but did try to shake them. Charlotte seemed content in the bumbo with the chew toys from her stocking.

After the stockings were empty, they moved on to the wrapped gifts under the tree and sausage balls for breakfast. I was impressed how well Madeline could rip open her gifts to see what she got. Even the excitement of Christmas morning couldn't keep Charlotte from taking her morning nap.

Gus and Tucker finished their Christmas bones quickly, as usual.

Around 10:30 that morning we heard a knock on the door. A man had a pony in our front yard that was kicking and stomping the snow. He asked if we had any kids in the house who would like a pony ride. Hilarious! We asked if he could come back after they changed out of their pajamas. Madeline wasn't happy about being on "Princess Daisy" and preferred a ride on her bike instead. Grace was thrilled with her 2 rides and asked for another.

We tipped the man and thanked him for the ride, gave Princess Daisy an apple and said goodbye. It was hard for them to be sad on a beautiful sunny white Christmas morning when there are snow angels to make and snowball fights to have.

We had a wonderful afternoon and evening playing and sharing their new (and old) toys, and of course, eating. I will always remember their 1st, 2nd, and 4th Christmases. Grace said, "I'm so happy that baby Jesus was born." I agree.