This year was our second Christmas at home, some things that we did lastyear, we did this year again, so, family traditions are definitely being formed. Two years make a tradition, right? ;)
On Christmas Eve, we went to the 5pm service. The plan was to go home afterwards, have a simple and quick dinner, and then open the family presents. In the end, we stopped by the annual Christmas Eve party of two friends from church instead, had something to eat there, and then headed home and opened presents.
Then, we put out cookies and bubbly wine (no plain old milk for our Santa this year!) for Santa and the girls went to bed.
Then, Santa went to work, putting gifts under the tree, filling stockings and we went to bed, too.
In the morning, the kids woke at a very acceptable 7am and dashed downstairs and unwrapped gifts.
Annelee got a balance bike (which Vivian originally claimed as her own, and which Annelee still hasn't quite realized is hers ... probably good, because there's 5 inches of snow outside and we still need to get a helmet for her).
Vivian got a "piano" (keyboard) with lessons starting at the end of January. Even though she asked for a "violine like my friend Althea", she seems quite happy with Santa's altered plan. She also got a bunk bed, which Santa hid under Mommy's and Daddy's bed during the night without us hearing him!? :) Next year, I'm going to ask Santa to assemble his gifts himself - we spent a good part on Christmas Day putting it together!
After the gifts, we had breakfast (bread with Christmas shapes cut out and eggs cracked into the hole), assembled the bed, played with new toys, and then for dinner we had meat fondue with my Dad's sauces. The girls loved it, and it is always a highlight for me. Next year, Vivian is probably even going to be big enough to cook her own meat!
All in all, another good Christmas!
This year, I even got a photo with both of them in front of the tree!
Unwrapping the headband set from Marion & Sebastian and the boys
More gifts
The puzzle from Marion & Sebastian and the boys
Showing off the new socks from Omi
Feeding Dolly in the new highchair and with the new play food
Vivian and Daddy reading a new book
Nothing's as much fun as a wrapping paper tube, though!
Christmas morning
The new outfit from Grandma (and a first headband that Vivian made)
Last, but not least, a brief view of Christmas morning unwrapping. Click here if you cannot see the video below.
It's a good thing the Nikolaus doesn't do things by my treehouse posting schedule, because he would always be late. Instead, he came to our house on time on December 6th and delivered a few goodies to the girls in their boots.
Both "Kittycat" and "Socky" have become instant favorites with the girls :)
I refuse to do anything Christmas-related before December 1st if I can. That would probably explain why I didn't start putting together the advent calendar until 10pm the night before ...
Having said that, yesterday was December 1st and we already fit in a lot of Chrstmassy things. The first advent calendar bag was opened, we started putting up the lights outside, the decorations inside (the tree will have to wait until just before Christmas though), went to the girls' daycare holiday party, and took a first walk through the neighborhood to see the lights.
At the holiday party, the girls got to meet Santa and Mrs Claus (and all four of them smiled for the photo!), and both the preschool and toddler classes performed some songs. It was very cute!
Santa and Mrs Claus meet the Page girls
Vivian, the red-nosed reindeer ...
Here's the first song they performed ... Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. Click here if you cannot see the video below.
You better watch out ... Santa is coming to town!
Here's the second song they performed. Click here if you cannot see the video below.
This is what I get when I ask the girls to pose for a photo :-)
Annelee's toddler class getting ready for their performance. Annelee stood like that the entire time they (well, the teachers) sang the song
