Christmas Day

When Chloe woke up this morning, she said, as usual "It's morning time". I went into her room and she told me she heard Rudolph on the roof last night and asked me if Santa came. And he did!

So we all came downstairs to open our presents, and what a haul!

Chloe got a new purple fish tank with a guppy she named, appropriately, "Chloe". We had to start out with just one fish, for some odd new fish tank reason, and in a month Chloe and Craig will go back and pick out 2 more fish and 3 little African frogs to complete the tank. Craig got the tank at this great fish store near the children's gym called The Wet Spot.



After seeing the fish tank, we went on to opening up our stockings. Chloe's stocking was filled with Hello Kitty and "button" socks (socks with little rubber dots on the bottom that Chloe calls buttons) and light up Hello Kitty Stampers. And, of course, some coal (chocolate popcorn).



After Chloe opened all the presents in her stocking, she started helping us!


So just in case Chloe ever complains about her lack of stuff, here she is with everything she got this year for Christmas!

From her Aunt Karen and Cousins Carly & Jarred, 3 books and a stuffed animal:





From her Nana & Poppa, a guitar and Calico Critters.


A live Butterfly Pavilion which we will get caterpillar eggs for and then Chloe can watch them go through all stages to butterfly


A "Where the Wild Things Are" floor puzzle:


A "Fancy Nancy" Book:


A cool round floor puzzle from Franny:


A personalized memory game:


Zingo, a fun game from Max & Ella (plus Candyland!!! from Bea)

Craig and I did well too. Craig got some new Timberland boots. About time as he was impressing people by the duct tape that was holding his old ones together. He also got a Garmin GPS, which is a fun toy, and a couple of coffee mugs, which he needed.

Craig surprised me with a backpack. Ok, I asked for it and told him quite in detail what I wanted, but he came through, along with a gift certificate for a custom designed bathing suit from Sofada! And he rounded it out with a booklight, and a Walgreens Special Ove Glove.

And, after opening all these wonderful gifts (well not all, we actually did take a break), I started a new tradition of making cinnamon rolls which turned out quite excellent and we'll have every year!



Then we met the Springgates and Broadfeet at the park for a little chilly playdate, then came back home for lunch and to open the rest of the presents. All in all, a really wonderful sunny Christmas!





When I asked Chloe what her favorite Christmas present was, she said the mouse. Her Aunt Karen once again scores with the best gift.

Chloe fell asleep watching Frosty Returns, and I carried her up to bed where she is now, I'm imagining, dreaming of a very wonderful Christmas!