Christmas Morning Gifts

This morning started today bright and early with the kids opening their stockings. They LOVED the breakfast setup. The stocking s this year were to heavy to leave hanging so they found them laying on the table in their normal seating areas.

The table was set with dishes completely ready for dinner also ready for breakfast. The main difference this year was due to the stockings being left on the table we placed their cups in the bowls and the silverware in the cups due to the limited space. The kids loved the Christmas Tablecloth cover.

The fruit tray was left on the counter top this year instead on the table. They loved the cantaloupe, honeydew, oranges, apples, bananas, watermelon, pomegranates, pretzels, single serve dippable  Nutella treats, (teddy grams for Ellie) single serve cereal boxes, single serve milk boxes, Capri Sun Juice packets, raisins, all over the table for breakfast and snacking through lunch for the kids. We also have crustless mini muffin pumpkin pie bites for the kids to munch on as well.

This setup has become a Christmas tradition for our family allowing for a later Christmas dinner without the kids feeling like they are starving to death.

The kids were SO excited opening their gifts this morning. The gifts they most loved were the books of course. Once the kids saw The Inheritance Cycle by Paolini, ALL four of the older kids started jumping up and down and screaming. They were also very excited about the Hunger Games Trilogy by Susanne Collins, The Circle Cycle Ted Decker. Additionally, Jade got The American Girl Series for Kaya to include a built in board game, and the first three books in the Warriors Series, and the 4th book in the book in the Uglies series. Now we have a list of other books the kids are asking for. The are asking for more Warriors and Uglies books.

The funniest part about the books is the kids were smelling the books and then Celidah declared that someone needs to create a new book perfume, because new books are the best smelling things ever. At this Jade, Corbyn, and Jairon all agreed that new books are the best smelling and best feeling things ever in this world.

It did not take long at all for The Inheritance Cycle to be opened up and the 4th book removed from the collectors case. These books are hardback and I got the kids the collectors edition because I know not only will they read them, but take care of them. Celidah had looked away for quick minute to see what her brother was doing and her father had snagged the book and ran into the kitchen with her newly prized book.

Within seconds she realized the book was missing. With a wild giggle she ran in pursuit of her father to retrieve the book she wanted to start reading. Soon they were giggling and laughing as they were tackling each other in the hall over the book. Suddenly the chase started up the stairs and into the rooms. Within minutes Celidah had retrieved her book and loudly and proudly proclaimed "HAH!!! The book is now MINE!!" as she then bounced down the stairs with a huge grin and a giggling father bouncing behind her...

She won this battle for now and is happily reading her newest book in our massive collection book collection. I am so happy to have a house full of book worms that love reading. I do not mind the fact that I had to clear shelves and place books I knew the kids had not been reading in a short while to make room for more incoming books for Christmas to fill those empty spaces after today. I do love that each of my children have gotten the same love of reading their Nanna and Daddy have.

Just a quick run down of the kids other most favorite gifts from today...

Jade was so funny as Celidah was opening her gift from her field trip to Washington DC. She was just as excited as Chantelle was last night. The silly child was bouncing out of her skin and so very excited. The best part was watching the two girls with both reations. Celidah's excitement building based off Jade's expanding excitement as Celidah got closer to the carefully and skillfully wrapped gift inside. Finally, once inside, Celidah discovered all the excitement was over a simple shiny rock with light tiger like striping. How I love the excitement of children bubbling over their siblings reactions to what is hiding inside...

Jade is so excited with her drawing and art supplies and candy making supplies, Celidah is most excited about her Wii games for Okami and Legend of Zelda, Corbyn is most excited about getting the Skylander Spyro Dragon game and his lego toys. Jairon is most excited about his Nerf toys. Zachariah is most excited about his Smokey the Fire Truck Starwars toys. Chantelle is super excited about her animals.

Now that the kids have opened their gifts and are happily playing and snacking again our Christmas dinner is cooking and will be ready here in a few hours. The nice thing is with most of the prep work done in advance, very little actual work has to be done today. Left to do is having the girls make the fresh bread for today, I will finish the stuffing, toss the roasted veggies in the oven, the slow roasted leg of lamb is already cooking, the gravy will be one of the last things to make once the lamb is finished.

Here in a few hours we will be sitting down at the table enjoying our family dinner talking about our favorite memories over the past year.