Santa Claus came! He really, really came!!!
Here are a few of our most treasured moments of Christmas morning 2012....
Each child always gets a special ornament from Santa in their stocking. This year BabyGirl got her 3rd collectible Harry Potter ornament!!
Little Man got the Curious George Christmas Monkey one he was wanting!!
Santa left BabyGirl her Lego Diagon Alley set....
He left Little Man his wooden Diesel Works he has been asking for as long as we can remember! :) Now he has his beloved Diesel 10!!!
This is BabyGirl opening her specially made time turner from us. You can tell by the look on her face that she will treasure it always...
This is Little Man and his BIG dinosaur!!!!!!
Nothing quite like playing with new sticky trains while you nibble on a candy from your stocking!
Did I mention..... candy????
Another priceless moment.....when the kids discovered they could just stuff the blown up whoopee cushions in the back of their pants before they sit!!!!!
Undesirable No. 1 !!! (from Nan)
Another great one from Nanny to Little Man...the play doh dentist set. Both kids just love this!! They make teeth over and over again, drill them, make braces, and pull them!!
This is my most treasured gift....a key chain made by BabyGirl. XO
I also got loads and loads of new kitchen gear!! Pots and pans (sooo nice), bake wear set, dehydrator (can't wait to use it!), mandolin, breader......wow! I have a lot of cooking to do!!!
Bo Honey outdid himself again! He smoked the most amazing turkey ever!!!
We spent the day with those we love most. It was magical, playful, relaxing, fun...everything you could ever want from a Christmas. And so much more.
As Christmas 2012 draws to a close, my mind settles on what we've learned from this journey. I've learned that this experience was so beautiful that it will be our annual tradition. There is nothing like blocking out a whole month (and more) to focus only on your children. To make memories to build on each and every year. It will be something we look forward to each season. It really puts into perspective what matters in this world. With everything going on around us...we can take the whole season to pause...to really invest time in one another...to get to know each other, see how much we've grown over the past year...learn to really appreciate one another.....and, most importantly, LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Our day-after-Christmas clearance shopping is done, the presents have been opened, the 24 hour Christmas music on the radio has stopped. But, here...at our house....it's still on. We are enjoying the last of the holidays with our old Christmas records. Our lights will stay on until after the New Year. Our schedule...well, we don't have one. And, we will relish in this for the next week and a half.
My New Years Resolution is this...to keep this spirit that we have enjoyed since Thanksgiving alive all year. To continue to focus on what is important and true. To keep giving, because it always makes you smile...not just at Christmas. And, while the world keeps on revolving around us...the calendar keeps filling up...the seasons come and go....we will still have this time preserved in our hearts to look back on. And, to look forward to!!!! Thank you, Christmas 2012. You were truly the best one yet. I can't wait to top you next year. Until then....keep living, keep loving, keep giving, keep playing, and keep looking at the world through the eyes of your children and grandchildren. This is what life is all about.
I am always inspired by Jim Henson. He was a brilliant, kind and wonderful man. I think if every child were forced to watch his movies along with Sesame Street this world would be a better place. This song just says it all.
