Scenes from Christmas

Neighborhood Christmas party 

(James obviously had the holidays confused, he's ready for Valentine's Day)

Making Christmas cookies

James placed cookies for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer (guess they had to fight over it) by the fireplace.  He was thrilled with his sleigh bell (a la Polar Express) he found in his stocking.  Once he opened his Pirates of the Caribbean ship all bets were off.  I had to put it together right away (note to self, just open the darn presents and put it together the night before) and it took another 3 hours to get through all the gifts, with a break for breakfast as well.  He would have much rather just played with Captain Jack than us force him to open up all his other gifts. 

We kept things a little simpler when it came to gifts from us.  Something he wants, something he needs, something to wear, something to read.  Then Santa also brought him a super hero tent and sleeping bag.  That sleeping bag sure came in handy when it was time for him to spend the night when Claire came along!  James (and us) were spoiled by the grandparents with a ton of other gifts as well.  My favorite?  A new camera!  Chris thought I might be able to put it to good use with a new baby on the way.  He knows me too well.  Chris also took James out shopping to get something for me.  He was so excited for me to open the gifts he picked out all by himself, a set of Pottery Barn reindeer mugs and hot chocolate from Williams Sonoma.  The kid obviously has great taste. 

My goal for Christmas this year was to keep things simple, and to not be in the hospital on Christmas morning.  We were successful with both goals.  It was also the first Christmas I can remember here that there wasn't snow on the ground (we took James to the playground in the afternoon)!