Merry Christmas, everyone. I was awake early, waiting for Renn, and just after 8 she arrived—climbing the stairs with her Mama and Dada in matching pajamas to see what Santa had left. She was convinced Santa had brought her a glass of milk and was delighted that she got to drink the warm partial glass herself.
At two, she is the perfect age—unhurried, fully present, opening a gift and then playing with it before moving on to the next. And there were many gifts with kids scissors being a highlight. We sipped our coffees and soaked in her excitement while Shaina and Matt joined us on FaceTime, almost as if they were right there in the room. B was out before 9:30 to join the fun, and S lit a fire that burned steadily all day.
Santa brought Renn a Minnie and Daisy camper van
Renny gifted her entire family with matching Disney Pj's, THANK YOU!
These scissors were most entertaining, perfect to cut wrapping paper and there was allot of paper
Lexi with her new toy Santa brought her and Bean
Nana did not know about the matching PJ's and bought these for Renn which were totally a hit but put a damper on the matching PJ's for all
Minnie calling break
the gifts keep on coming
Breakfast was crepes with fruit and whipped cream—the whipped cream being the only part Renn was truly interested in. Gifts continued, snacks appeared, and games were played, including poker, with hopes of someday turning it into an annual, cash-injected Christmas tradition.
Santa brought sparkly kids nails so renn was done first
so pretty
Then she painted Auntie B's, Dada, Mama and Grandpa's too
super sticky slime
cookie making kit - not for eating kind of cookies though
Cookie delivery
Here is the fun of trying to get a family photo with a timer which made the attempt at family photos a challenge.
if only S had his head more to the right to see the camera
After a fair amount of laughter and persistence, we did manage to get a few—this only after convincing Renn to put her matching pajamas back on compromising over the fuzzy Minnie Mouse ones I had bought her.
someone is tired of photos
determined to get a family shot we tried again but I was too slow once again
Kaylin suggested using my Apple Watch to take the photos which was a great idea
especially when I let Renn click my watch!
Yes, a few fun family photos
besties in a boat
Lunch evolved organically into leftovers: pizza, oyster soup, and pasta with sausage. Games carried on while a few people rested—okay, one person. For supper, Nathan and Sheldon took charge, searing the bison roast, sliding it into the oven, and handling the potatoes and vegetables. That was my Christmas gift—not being the full-time cook.
Pretend cookie making, the card shuffler made the perfect oven to "cook" them in
Then it was on to real cookie decorating with a super cute kit made by Nathan's great Aunt (who also sent a huge container of delicious Christmas baking too)
There was no room for Harley it seems
I did make the au jus while S mashed the potatoes, missing Shaina’s strong arm. The meal was good (the cut of bison could have been better though) and a fitting celebration of the day.
The evening games continued, though poor Renn was struggling with tummy troubles. Renn took a break for a bath, with Auntie B in charge—light-up color blocks, bubbles, and all. I blow-dried her hair, and Kaylin took her down for an early bedtime. After a couple of wake-ups, Kaylin brought her into the big bed, and they both went to sleep.
The four of us opened Uno No Mercy—a gift from Candace—and quickly learned it is exactly what it claims to be. Ruthless, and not recommended for anyone who doesn’t enjoy losing. We followed that by teaching Nathan how to play canasta: B and Nathan versus S and me. There were some strong rounds, but S and I came out ahead in the end.
This is the only AI created photo shared but so cute
By midnight, we wrapped things up. Nathan headed to bed, B and Cooper went home, and S and I put on a bit of a new series. He fell asleep almost immediately, and I returned to the Jay Kelly movie—ending a busy, noisy, cozy, and merry Christmas.
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