Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Eve in our house has several traditions the kids have grown to look forward to and we have a new one that we can now start. Starting last night, we discovered that we have enough children who play instruments well enough that they can all play together. Feeling the joy and excitement of this Celidah picked up her violin and played, really played for the first time in a long time.

Next we red from the Bible and the kids acted out the story of Christ’s birth. The kids had a blast. Some years their “production” is more rehearsed, and others more chaotic. Either way the story is told and they remember the message. We talk about why Christmas is celebrated in December not April. Once that is finished, we remind them about Saint Nicholas, who he was and why and how “Santa” can be anyone around us, and that the kids can also be “Santa” to each other as well as each other.

Finally, we opened our family "Secret Santa" gifts to each other. By the time we were opening the gifts it was very clear who had who because the secret Santa's were about to bounce out of their skin. The kids were jumping up and down with more excitement and enthusiasm often than the receiver. The kids had a blast.

One of the best reactions was watching Jade open her Hobbit Map poster that she “thought” she had chosen for her father. When picking out the posters she did not question my telling her to pick her 3 favorites. Dad, Zach, and Jade each received a Hobbit Poster. Jairon received a Minecraft poster.

The kids loved their gifts for sure. Celidah got the Prismacolor watercolor pencils she had asked for. However, tin she got, had way more colors than ever imagined. Along with the pencils she got a pencil sharpener, blending stick, and special water color brush that is filled with water. This allows her to combine colored pencil and watercolor in the same drawing or turn colored pencil into a watercolor painting. Oh and some new sheet music.

Jade received a pair of socks and some gel drawing pens.

Corbyn, confused then thrilled beyond all measure at the simple board, plain cut out shield, and the hardware realized very fast that he and dad have a special project between them. He gets to work with dad to make a shield and sword! That simple gift made Frank beam as Corbyn exclaimed that was one of the best gifts.

Jairon received a game thing (Gameboy something) that we helped Jade find for him. However, her biggest gift to him was his own Monecraft account, and the shield sword, axe she made for him from poster board. When he came out of his room today, he was screaming with joy from her gifts.

Zach whooped and hollered as he opened 2 shorter Nerf type swords and the cardboard armor that Jairon (with some help) made and painted for him.

Ellie LOVED her super spy set from her, the necklace he made, and the one he found at the Holiday gift shop. Silly Zach knowing how much Ellie loved presents took the spy set apart and wrapped each part individually. This made her feel very special to have many gifts.

Ellie was bouncing out her skin as I opened the candle she picked out for me. Before I could even open the gift, I knew exactly what was inside. She was jumping up and down and giggling about how she just knew it was my favorite scent. This silly child was so worried about what to get me before Christmas that I eventually told her, “You will just know the perfect gift when you see it.” Well she found it. I loved her reactions as they were priceless.

Dad received a remote control car. Giggles, this car came with several kids at once all saying, “You SIR! Are a hard one to shop for!” as they also giggled. The remote control car has proven to be quite the puzzle for Amy. She will dart near but not right up to it, then jump away. Early this morning she decided she needed more of the silly remote car. She would jump and pounce on Frank trying to wake him up. Yet if I touched her she simply (without claws) batted my hand away. She was NOT wanting my attention. The silly kitty.

The final gifts left for last night were funny oddly shaped presents from Nana and Poppy. There was one for each child. With total excitement, Celidah exclaimed, “I LOVE Nanas gifts the best because always gets something special for us.” At this point Frank told them they could open their gifts. Their faces filled with excitement, suddenly turned to puzzled looks, then to total bewilderment as they tried to figure out WHY in the world Nana and Poppy would give them potatoes and they would be “outdoor use only” But potatoes are for cooking not outdoor use? Well they would have to wait until the morning to find out. Giggles. The moans and groans of having to wait.

Once it seemed all the gifts were given, Celidah told everyone to stay put and ran back to her room giggling. At this, I turned on the video portion of the camera and waited for Celidah to return. As soon as she did she placed a black box that simply said “Welcome” on the outside on Jade’s lap. Confused she looked between mom, dad, and Celidah for a few seconds, then slowly opened her gift.

Suddenly there was a gasp, her eyes popped wide open, and she looked at Celidah, who by this point was also jumping up and down and giggling hysterically. The first words out of her mouth were “You didn’t, you… didn’t, NO you didn’t!” the response was a sudden, “Oh yes I did!”

Another round of hugs were shared, and it was time for bed. I know the horror, the torture, the final sleep before the magical morning. Bedtime. How could we sent the kids to bed now, after the excitement of sharing their gifts with each other?

Once the excitement and energy wore off the kids, Frank and I got to work on the “breakfast table.” I do not remember exactly how this special tradition got started, but this is the most favorite part of Christmas morning.