Christmas with Nana

This year we went to Nana's house the day after Christmas instead of Christmas night.  I really liked it this way because Nana and Papa Fred came to our house Christmas Eve to spend the night.  We went to the traditional Christmas Eve service at Triangle Presbyterian in Durham which was excellent.  Then came home to a fabulous meal cooked by myself with huge help from  my husband Andy and my mom.  I honestly couldn't have done it without them.

Christmas day we enjoyed opening gifts and then had a nice big breakfast.  Before Papa and Nana left we all went outside on to watch Reagan ride her new bicycle.  She was so proud of herself pushing the pedals and doing so well.

Then we had the rest of the day to enjoy together cleaning up and packing to head to Nana's.  The next morning we headed to Salisbury.  Salisbury is where I grew up spending my Christmas Eve's and mornings.  It has taken awhile to settle in to my new traditions with my own family, but this year I really felt like I had found them.  It was nice to spend time with my mom and enjoy her traditional meals that I don't get to eat that often.  Plus the four grandchildren love spending time with their Nana.  Reagan loves  following Nana around and just "helping" her with whatever she is doing.

After lunch, we opened gifts.  Nana had given Reagan a Barbie and Savannah a Tinkerbell doll.  Reagan had said that she wanted a Barbie after watching the endless TV commericals over the holidays. However, when she saw Savannah's Tinkerbell it was a huge disappointment to her that she didn't get one.  So next year we all know to get them the same thing!  My mom gave me a quilt made up of all my old high school and college t-shirts.  I love it as it is something that reminds me of so many great things in my past but also functional.  If you know me you know I like things to have a purpose.  The quilt is beautiful and was made exceptionally well.  I will cherish it for many years to come!

Around 4:00pm my mom's brother and sister came with their families.   I don't see my cousins too often nor their children so this is very special to see everyone all at the same time.  It's so much harder that both grandparents are gone to get everyone together.  I have three cousins from my mom's brother.  They have five children between them.  So we ended up with nine by the end of the night which made it feel even more like Christmas to me.  I love that my mom finds that it is important to have our family get together and that she really cherishes our time together.  She puts so much effort into the house, decorations, food, and making sure everyone is invited and welcomed.  If it wasn't for her I know that we would not see everyone and keep our grandparents family together.  Thanks to my mom for being so great and really working hard to give us great family time.

Car Ride Chatter

Last Wednesday, I picked up the girls from school and we headed to our bible study.  On the way, Reagan talking as usual while Madison is silent says,

R: "Mommy I can't wait for my brother." 
Mom: "What?"
R:  The one in your belly.
M:  No honey, I don't have a baby in my stomach.  I am not pregnant.
R:  Yes you are mom.  He's in your stomach.
M: Well, in that case, what is his name going to be.
R:  Karen
M: No, that's a girl's name.  What about Joseph, Michael, or Alex?
R:  I don't like those names.  I like Karen.
M: What about a different name like Jack?
R:  uhhhh, okay, Jack. 
M:  chuckling
R: Mom, look at those lights....(her concentration on the subject has now left and has not been repeated since, :)

Santa Train

Last year, I vaguely remember people talking about the Santa Train event at NC Muesem of Life and Science.  Madison was a newborn so I didn't put so much thought into it.  However, this year Reagan understands and has started to believe in Santa.  She comes home daily from school with her new knowledge of Santa. 

 "Mommy, Santa leaves presents under the tree for Madison and me."  

"I have to be nice not naughty so that Santa will leave me presents." 

"Do the elves make all the toys?"

This is our first Christmas that we get to play out the magic of Santa.   Christmas has been so fun already and we have truly enjoyed this season much more than the past.  No wonder our parents were always in such great spirits during the holiday season.  When you are young it seems to take forever for the 25th to arrive, but as parents we get to enjoy each day.  

Our first family event this year fell on the first day of December.  I really liked that we did this on December 1st for it started the month off with a kick.  We bundled up in our warmest layers and headed out to see Santa.  We arrived early to make sure one that we didn't miss the train and second to give Reagan a chance to participate in the other craft activities.  They had face painting, making reindeer food, many coloring activities, an ornament station, and of course the hot chocolate station with fun toppings.  

Reagan was so excited that she didn't even mention the cold.  However, poor Madison was pretty upset being stuck in the stroller while watching her sister run around.  So I decided to buy her some chips to smooth her over.

Starving and unable to participate in the crafts, Madison finds satisfaction in chips.

Coloring Station

The Elves hard at work.

 Of course, Reagan had to have a bag of chips too!

Waiting for the Train Ride

A great family picture for us!

SANTA

Reagan was so scared of Santa when he approached our car of the train.  She jumped to Daddy's right leg and leaned in as close as she could to me as possible.  When Santa came she kept saying, "No, Santa! No, Santa!"  Then as he was saying goodbye he asked, "Is there anything special you would like for Christmas?"  Reagan leaps and almost jumps out of the train towards Santa as she yells, "A dollhouse and a pig."  I was laughing as I was taking the photo so it was of the floor, but it was truly hysterical that she definitely wasn't going to let Santa pass without knowing what she wanted.  Hmmm, reminds me of a certain famous Christmas movie except with a slide and a gun request.

Afraid of Santa

Hot Chocolate

At last some Hot Chocolate!  A much needed treat after a cold train ride.  This was Reagan's first and she kept saying, "Mommy its hot!"  I guess 3 year old's don't think to much about the name. :)