It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty founder was a child Himself.
-- Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol
We found such joy in our little ones this year. Watching them dance to Deck the Halls and (this year's favorite) Go, Tell it on the Mountain, listening to them sing Away in the Manger, pretending with them about that first Christmas (even when asked to be the donkey), filled our hearts with love and gratitude. Being with children at Christmas might be even better than being a child!
Some of the memories we'll hold close in years to come:
:: The girls' complete belief in the magic of Santa Claus. We don't spend much time talking about him, but somehow they're caught up in the wonder of his story nonetheless. Because our home has no chimney, Nan and Grandpa had given the children a magic key to leave outside our front door on Christmas Eve, so Santa could get inside. Kathleen and Madeline found the key on the floor outside their bedroom door on Christmas morning. We asked the girls if they had any idea how it could've gotten upstairs, since we'd all seen them leave it on the front porch. Kathleen gasped, eyes full of wonder, "Santa!"
:: The girls awkwardly walking down the stairs together, both clutching that magic key with their right hands.
:: We made a conscious effort to keep Christmas reasonably small. Still, our living room boasted a bicycle, a tricycle (gifts from us), a princess tent, and plenty of other wrapped gifts. Despite this bounty, the very first thing the girls noticed was the unwrapped case of baby wipes from Costco. They jumped up and down and cheered, "Presents for my baby!"
:: A few minutes later Madeline realized that there were presents for her, too, and she took a few laps around the dining room table, as if attempting to burn off the excitement.
A few (blurry) snapshots from our morning: (1) Stockings! The ball Madeline is inspecting lights up when bounced and has been a favorite. (2) An art easel, which has also gotten lots of use! (3) Proof that we did give John David actual presents. (4) Trying on the helmets.
:: John David using his Army style low-crawl to find any and all wrappping paper to eat! (Predictably, he was much more interested in wrapping paper than gifts.)
:: The girls on their new bicycle and tricycle in the foyer, helmets on, cheering, "We're ready to roll!"
:: Spending Christmas morning testing out the new wheels on a trip to the park!
:: Watching the girls' new Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure movie with Madeline on my lap, her arms behind her head, the picture of contentment.
:: Having all the California cousins together (with Nan, Grandpa, Mama's brother and sister and their families) for Christmas evening.
John David plays with cousin Emily.
Cousins clowning on the couch.(Photos shameless stolen from my sister. Thanks, Caroline!)
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
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