christmas morn, part ii

After the gift opening mayhem at our own house we then head back over to my parent's to meet up with the rest of the family for our tradition Christmas morning breakfast. After which is followed by more gift opening. We let the kids go first this year, one at a time. Dom was excused from this because as we all know by now, the squeaky wheel gets the grease and he is by far the loudest squeaky wheel around. We were all spoiled by each other and it's just the best. It's crazy. It's loud and it's messy. And it's hot. But I love it so. 

Letty got rollerskates, a helmet and a storm trooper scarf, a Barbie with paintable hair and Shopkins, of course. David got two games meant to challenge him intellectually (and he loves them), Oh The Places You'll Go (sniff), and a remote control monster truck. His dream kind of truck. Dominic got a Razor scooter, a Paw Patrol chair for all those future parades and barbecues, a set of dinosaurs, Tracker from the Paw Patrol, a John Deere tractor set.

Past Christmas mornings at my parent's here, here and here.

Everyone have a great weekend ringing in the new year! We are trying something totally new this year so here's hoping the stars align and it all works out to be the best New Year's Eve yet! Stay safe people!

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christmas morn, part i

Letty was up at 4:30 a.m. First because of the spider that she says she saw in her room. Then she informed me that she saw Santa's shadow! He was at her door checking on her but she was too scared to look at him so she just saw his shadow. Which at first I was like awh that's nice sweetie! Then as I woke up a bit more I started to wonder who's shadow she did see, exactly? At which point Matt and I were up anyways so we just sort of resigned ourselves to our fate. Dom woke up shortly after 6:30 having peed through everything on his person and in his bed. Which explains why he isn't in matching Christmas pjs. This was also when I did my first load of laundry for the day. We let David sleep till just about 7 before deciding to get this show on the road... He was like waking the dead. That  boy loves his sleep and I so love him for it! Anyways down they came! Gifts were opened! One at a time, all at once. But at least it wasn't a free for all!

Letty got a Spy Squad Barbie and corresponding motorcycle (dangerous!), Shopkins, Shopkins underwears, pink and purple Lincoln Logs Country Meadow Cottage and goggles. David got a Spencer Engine, his beloved Spencer, a transforming Blaze Firetruck, Blaze underwears, goggles, a Superhero Cape and Mask Set. And lastly Dominic got the Paw Patroller Airplane, a Thomas Trackmaster, a Thomas & Friends Take-n-Play Percy to the Rescue, a Take and Play Thomas, The Good Dinosaur figurine set. Needless to say David wanted all of Dominic's toys. All the time. A tale as old as time, I fear.

Past year's Christmas mornings here, here and here.

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a christmas eve cocktail party

As per the tradition in our family, my parents host a cocktail party each and every Christmas Eve. Good eats, good drinks, good friends and neighbors and family. The more the merrier! We dress up and we mingle and the kids play and it's just all in all a good time. This year we had quite the kid space in the basement now that the three youngest of the Trovatos are old enough to stay up late with the rest of us. My dad even installed a camera over the play area so that the parents upstairs could spy on the children below. 

Once the party got in full swing I pretty much planted myself at a table within sight of my children playing and enjoyed catching up with old friends. I tried to get Letty to go up with my camera and take some photos of the adult area upstairs, so some of these are hers. And as you can see she preferred to take photos of children and inanimate objects rather than the grown ups she is unfamiliar with. Maybe next year there will be a segregation... kids below, adults above. No supervision required! But then I remember who my father is and know that day is far away. So for now! The class system continues!

 

We made it until a little shy of 10:30 before deciding that it was now or never and we must flee! The children's energy levels were what we all deemed to be near peaking so it was for the best. I read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to the kids in the van on the way home just to hurry up bed time... David put out the cookies and Letty put out the milk and Dom just screamed at his shoes and then straight to bed.

At which point you know the drill... Matt carries down the box of wrapped gifts, I arrange them, followed by a glass of wine and then to bed, we said.

That's just the prettiest sight, I think.

Past Christmas Eve's here, here and here!

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