The magic of Christmas

To say that there was some excitement in our house for Christmas this year would be an understatement. Our Christmas tree was already up by mid-November, if that says anything (at which point I was being nagged on a daily basis to put it up, by my dear boy child). Alex only really got the whole Christmas thing the year before, so this Christmas just past he knew what to expect, and was literally bouncing off the walls with anticipation. Caris, being only 19 months at Christmas time didn’t really get it, but she was very, very impressed by the Christmas tree, and kept pointing, saying “lights” and squealing with delight!

A few days before Christmas, we took the kids to see the Garden of Lights (at Emperors Palace). Despite standing in the queue for almost an hour, it was well worth the wait, and we all enjoyed it thoroughly. Caris, bearing in mind her aforementioned love of Christmas lights, was in her element!

On Christmas eve, we put out milk and cookies for Santa, and put two very excited little monkeys to bed! We explained to Alex that he would know that Father Christmas had been, if their stockings were filled and waiting at the foot of their beds in the morning. (Needless to say, Alex came running into our bedroom just after six AM screaming “Farmer Christmas came! My stocking is full of toys, and Caris’s too! Come look!”)

And when we came downstairs, his eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw all the presents under the tree!

Christmas day was spent opening presents, swimming, laughing, opening more presents, and celebrating over lunch with our extended family. (Ok, so I spent most of it cooking, cleaning up, serving lunch, making desert, cleaning up, cooking, did I mention cleaning up? But all for a good cause I guess!)