I hope you all had the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER.. and if yours was anything like mine, it meant waking up at 5:46 am to, “MOM! Wake up! SANTA CAME!!!” Five more minutes, buddy. Just five. more. minutes. please! And if this sounds like the SNL skit with Matt Damon called “Best Christmas Ever,” it’s because I am pretty sure it was depicted after my life. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it IMMEDIATELY.
Our Christmas was actually pretty low key in the grand scheme of things. Our families visited us in the weeks leading up to the holiday so we already checked off the entertaining box. This weekend, it was just the five of us. And even though we were up at the crack of dawn, that’s what I remember doing as a kid and watching the magic of Christmas on my children’s faces is enough to put a pep in my step at 5:47 am 😉
This year, I tried something new thanks to a friend of mine who gave me the idea. Instead of racing downstairs and immediately opening ALL THE PRESENTS, I “TRIED” to make the kids look at what Santa put under the tree and choose one present to open before breakfast. Well, that didn’t really go according to plan and my husband nixed the idea and said maybe when they’re older and can understand a bit more. This year, they just wanted to dive in before breakfast and so that’s what we did.
The kids opened their presents one by one and we tried to keep it pretty civilized instead of the usual, “grab, rip, COOL!, throw, next” routine. The kids are so privileged and get so many gifts from us, Santa, and relatives that it’s so hard to keep it under control. So this year, we really tried to make each child take a turn and we ooh’d and ahh’d over their gift before moving on. I can’t say it was a total success but hoping it gets easier and easier as they get older 🙂 We tried at least!
The best present that mom and dad got them (ahem, Santa) was our new trampoline that takes up our entire backyard ha! But once it stops raining, I hope the boys are outside 24/7 bouncing and burning off energy.. selfishly, I kinda got this present for myself so they would be outside 😉
They were also spoiled by their grandparents, aunts and uncles with so many puzzles, games, cars, and toys. The arcade games by Fat Brain Toys are seriously COOL and my husband and I have found ourselves competing against each other. Here’s a few items that were a hit:
We spent the morning as a family and once 11 am rolled around and the high of Christmas morning wore off, we needed to get the kids out. We ventured up to Alix’s house and let the kids run around the park while the adults sipped mimosas because by 11 we were ready lol.
We eventually made our way back home for lunch and naps and just spent the rest of the day lounging in pajamas and letting the kids play with their new toys. Once the kids went to bed, my husband and I popped a bottle of our favorite wine, watched a movie and recapped our “BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!” 😉 seriously, go watch the skit. Except then, Jackson started throwing up from what we think was food poisoning and we were up all night nursing him back to health. Poor dude.. but he’s back to himself and back to jumping on his favorite Christmas present of them all 🙂
Now, I find myself reflecting on the past year and gearing up for 2020. The hustle and bustle of the holidays is always a whirlwind and I’m looking forward to a little downtime. But as I’ve learned, it only gets busier as my kids gets older. Downtime for us spans about three weeks and then it ramps back up. So I really am trying to soak in this time with my kids.
Last year, Parker was only 1 month old and now he’s on the verge of walking and talking. Cammy couldn’t communicate or understand the concept of Christmas and this year every time the doorbell would ring he’d scream, “SANTA!!!!!!” (cutest thing of your life). And Jackson now says things like “that was lame,” “he’s annoying me,” and “what? clothes? I didn’t want clothes for Christmas!” Wishing I could keep them little and bottle up these ages in a time capsule. But I know we will continue to grow with our kids and hopefully I can look back on all of these posts and pictures with only the best memories.
On to 2020.. a new decade.. and looking forward to all it brings.
Happy New Year!
xx, Heather
Cute outfit in the last picture…who makes it?
It’s by Lululemon but The Lab which is only in NYC and Vancouver BC I believe! I linked similar styles on our Liketoknowit page!