10:20 PM Christmas Eve? We are about to go to bed. Jim and Pat, Patti?s parents, drove up from NY and got in around 6. For the past month or so, Patti and I have been building up Christmas so that by now Emily is looking like Ted Kennedy at an open bar. We explained how the Santa process works, you know, comes down the chimney, eats cookies and milk, leaves gifts, head up the chimney, gets on sleigh pulled by animals, goes to next house. We tried to explain the religious significance but it went right over her 39 inch head.
So after we had dinner with Jim and Pat, we cleaned up and put out all of the gifts that were hidden in the three season porch. I took some pictures so you can get a true sense, but it?s unbelievable. Presents everywhere. We exchange with some very close friends and family and there are a lot of little gifts for the kids. Patti and Emily made cookies so on the end table near the tree is a plate with crumbs of two chocolate chips and an empty glass of milk.
Emily went to bed knowing that ?Santa? was going to come so we are planned for a super-hyper-anxious morning. We have everything set and will try to keep her upstairs until at least 7 so we can get a little bit of sleep. Ethan is in our room tonight because the in-laws are in the guest room, which is his room, so I imagine I will end up sleeping on the couch because I can?t sleep when the little ones are in bed with us for fear of rolling on them and if he was in his crib I would sleep very lightly thinking he would wake up soon.
Patti wanted to start a tradition, actually a few traditions, but one where we would get new pajamas each Christmas and wear them in the morning. I sleep in sweat pants and a t-shirt so I voted for new sweats and a new T, but Patti chose something a little more coordinated and festive.
So tomorrow should be fun. I am more excited about this Christmas than the past few years because Emily is old enough to start getting into the spirit. Her and I went to pick out a Christmas tree together and she had to bring the tree skirt into the actual yard where the trees were. She was afraid of Santa in person but talks about him like he is some magical and mysterious red-clothed bearded man who flies in the sky on a square boat pulled by next week?s dinner.
Anyway, I will post an update tomorrow to let you know how it goes. Merry Christmas and all of our best to each of you.
- David
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