..and then we went to the book store to have Santa assess who's been naughty or nice...
You guys waited patiently in line with kids and dogs and babies...
...and Julia, you worked through some nerves you had about seeing the big guy. It's no surprise, you and he have had a storied history. You wanted to show him your list, but not talk to him and not sit on his lap...and that is all fine
Until it was time to see the big guy himself!
You guys have grown up a lot with Half Price Books Santa... from inquisitive/scared...
to only acceptable with Mommy and Daddy...
...to... "I'll sit next to him but I won't talk to him." (Julia... but you actually did talk to him!)
...and Aidan, you and Santa have always been solid! This year you asked him a LOT of questions.
Christmas time is a time for families to get together, huddle 'round or under the tree, reminisce, love each other, and selflessly give, and look at lights. And eat cookies and pizza and smile and sing and nap. I'll never forget the warm weekend day where we set up a blanket outside, Aidan you brought Legos, Julia you brought your singing voice, I brought my Uke and we sang Christmas Songs until the sun went behind the clouds and we went inside to get warm again.
Because our house was under serious construction, we initially weren't going to set up the tree this year, but Julia you wisely told us "If there's no tree, there's no lights and ornaments, and if there's no lights and ornaments, then Santa won't come, and if Santa doesn't come, then there's no presents, and if there's no presents.!!!"
So we DID set up the tree, and boy am I glad we did. We got brand new multi-color lights this year. We all loved 'em. Y'all helped us with the itchy, itchy tinsel and reminisced and played with the ornaments as we unpacked them. Others napped.
Later on, you guys wrote your letters to Santa...
Dear Santa: Head lite, Robot Drones. Aidan
Dear Santa Claus: A computer pad and a secret spy kit and this iPad case. Love, Julia
We toured some amazing Christmas Lights: once with Yaya, Baba, Aunt Sham, and Uncle Joe. Once with just the four of us after a Taco dinner.
You guys made a count-down calendar building the beard of Santa until Christmas Day.
You guys colored.
Others napped.
We went to see the big man himself, and Julia- for the first time ever- you were able to sit next to Santa without crying, without screaming, without clinging, without needing mommy or daddy. We are so proud of you!!!! And Santa was happy to see you too!
There were PJdays...and plenty more napping...and shopping...
Julia- you and I built a snowman!
Aidan- you and Julia played Star Wars for ages...
You guys rode on and cleaned your scooters...
And there were puppy kisses and cuddles....when they weren't napping.
Then it was time for Christmas Eve! We loaded up and went to Yaya's and Baba's for our annual home-made pizza tradition, and had a wonderful night with wonderful family.
We got home just in time to leave out some cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer...
You guys woke up at like 5:30 AM and came to see us, but you were so amenable to understanding that Santa was still in the East Coast, and wouldn't be in Texas until after 8:00 AM, so you went back to bed...and at 8 sharp you came to get us and found out that Santa had come!
And he brought a robot drone! And Head lamps! and an iPad Keyboard! And THAT iPad Case!
Look at the smiles on those faces!
Christmas Day continued amazingly, excitingly, pajamedly, and dramatically!
You helped me decorate AND deliver our holiday jalapenos to our neighbors, which said "Happy Jalep-days!"
Our last stop was at the Longs house, where you guys played with the triplets so hard and so fast that Aidan you twisted your ankle! But that's okay, you hobbled to Christmas Day, where we Wii'd, dined, talked, and shared gifts and presence with our family!
You got "Empty 3" players earlier in the day (from Santa) and the two of you were jamming throughout the day!
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