Notes from the Treehouse: Christmas 2012

This year was our second Christmas at home, some things that we did last year, 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!