Santa Came {& It Wasn't On Christmas Eve}

    Like I mentioned in my last post, Santa didn't come to our house until the night of December 26. Somehow he knew we were going to be out of town on Christmas Eve, so he waited until we were home to visit Connor and Olivia. When we arrived at our house the afternoon of the 26th, Connor saw that his elf was waiting under our tree for him with a package and goodbye letter. Inside the package were pajamas for the kids, a plate for Santa's cookies, snacks for our movie night, and The Night Before Christmas to read at bedtime. That evening after the kids took their baths, we had a movie night and then Connor left cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for his reindeer before going to sleep.

      Connor was awake the next morning by 7:30. We started the 4 gift tradition last year with Connor and I really liked it, so we did it again this year. The idea behind it is that they get something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. We buy more than one thing per category, but it keeps them from getting just toys. Here's what the kids got....

*Connor* 

Want: BB gun, BB's, targets

Need: sleeping bag

Read: Usborne books

Wear: shirts, pants, footie pajamas

 Santa: Doorway vet clinic/post office, post office box and mail bag with pretend mail.

*Olivia*

Want: soft blocks, toy for her bouncer.

Need: highchair, bibs, bowl and spoon.

Read: Usborne books.

Wear: Shirts, pants, shoes.

Santa: Bunny lovey.

*Stockings*

Stocking stuffers are my favorite!

Now for the fun picture of us opening presents:

     The best gifts this year were the ones from Connor. We gave him money to take to school one day and he was able to shop for us while at school. I didn't know they were already sealed in a bag, but he wanted to wrap them himself as soon as he got home, so he unwrapped them and re-wrapped them. I wish I would have taken a picture of them before we opened them.

 Aaron got a notepad with pen that says #1 Dad. Connor said it was for him to take to work so he can write lists on it.

 I got the most precious snowman earrings and a pen that says I LOVE MOM. Connor wants for me to wear them everyday!

Olivia got a stuffed emoji keychain.

XOXO,
Jenn