Christmas

It's Christmas Day so you know I gots to put up a gazillion photos. You've been warned.

As is the Christmas morning tradition at our place, we had to wake Sissy up for the festivities. Not a morning person, that one. Baby, on the other hand, rises with the sun. And sometimes even before that.

We all trampled into Sissy's room to shake the beast alive and then ran downstairs. Baby was excited to see all the presents huddled beneath the tree's warm embrace.

It is magical to experience Christmas with a toddler; such a gift for this old lady. Sissy was also enchanted but did her best to play it cool - you know - since she's 13 now. It's alright. I know the truth.

We began with stockings. Chocolate and goodies for me and Mykey, candy and little trinkets for the girls. Baby received a Minnie Mouse jewelry set and Sissy received a dice game and her favorite Soda Can Fizzy candy. I received Cadbury Eggs. Thank you.

Santa was a generous bloke this year. We began the bonanza with travel size watercolor sketch pads for Sissy.

And Moana and Ariel water bottles for Baby.

He carried a box set of The Lord of the Rings down the chimney with care. 

And left a velvety pink ball for Baby. 

There was also a squishy dinosaur and cars with people inside for Baby. 

And a Korok blanket for Sissy.

The old guy brought princess dishes, a doctor kit, and a numbers puzzle for Baby.

And a squeezy cheese block for Mykey. 

Michael made Sissy a book press so she can paint on the edges of books. 

And Baby received a bicycle!

I must note that Baby carefully threw her paper scraps away each time she opened a gift. She is fastidious to the core.

In addition to all the aforementioned goodies, Santa brought Sissy a Zelda calendar, Speks magnetic putty, Hatchimals, (for old times' sake), a National Geographic Kid's almanac, wearable hooded blankets, and gouache paints. Whew!

After the excitement of gifts, I made a delightful meal with our more-expensive-than-gold Honey Baked Ham, and we took it easy the rest of the day. 

Instead of exchanging gifts, Mykey and I decided to have a special excursion with just the two of us. We went to Pigeon Forge, where we ate at our favorite restaurant and saw a magician show. We had a nice time being together but the traffic and crowds were stifling. We plan on having an excursion for Christmas every year from now on, but next time we'll go someplace less popular - because I'm old and I don't like people being in my way. 

So there.

Merry Christmas to all!