Santa... I know him!

 I felt like a kid again on Christmas Eve. I was too excited to sleep, because I knew that Santa had filled the stockings and delivered the gifts under the tree. Owen understood who Santa was and that he was bringing him presents. I told him that he had to close his eyes and go right to sleep so that Santa could come, and he didn't even fuss. I am pretty sure he was asleep in 5 minutes, when he sometimes sings and talks in his room for 30 minutes. The next morning when Owen woke up and came out to the living room he asks, "where is Santa?" So, he almost understood the concept. He was appreciative of the man leaving all the gifts but was disappointed that he left without even saying hi or goodbye. Owen was in charge of passing out the gifts and was even a little concerned that we did not have as many as he did. We were all having such a good time that we forgot to take any good photos.

 Playing in his club house tent.

For Christmas dinner Adam put on his very best holiday outfit and Aunt Betty just so happened to have the exact same idea. Twins! 

I love holidays in PJs

Our Christmas Eve tradition is perfect because we get to stay in our pajamas all day long. It used to be sort of a forced tradition because I had to work at the Zoo during the free admission pajama day. But this is still a fun event to attend when we get to go by choice. Zoo people sing carols at you as you enter the zoo and force candy canes into your child's hands :). Once we are all hopped up on sugar we can make our way around to see our favorite animals and this year Owen brought grandpa along too. Owen got up close to wish the otter a Merry Christmas and it was the perfect way to start our Christmas Eve.

Classic leaf pile baby

I wonder if the neighbors think I am pushing child labor when I give Owen a little shrub rake and put him to work in the yard. I figure pretty soon he is not going to be so willing to help with chores so I ought to take the help while I can. He was not half bad at raking his little sections. The real hold up was that he kept jumping in the middle of the leaves and spreading them all out again.

Sleeping like a baby

Christmas shopping is exhausting for everyone and after a long day shopping and refusing to nap at the regular nap time this kid is finally out. It was so late when he finally fell asleep that I just let him sleep on the couch hoping he wouldn't sleep too late. (It still screwed up his bedtime but he was so crabby without his nap) Watching him dose reminded me of when he was a baby and could sleep anywhere.

Oh Christmas tree

My little elf was actually a pretty good helper this year in decorating the tree. The bottom half might be a little unsymmetrical but Owen was really proud of his ornaments. He made little families too. The rocking horse, reindeer and zebra all together and a family of globes. Each night he says goodnight to his favorite ones and gives them all a kiss.

Party boy

 

Somehow the second Saturday in December has become the busiest day of the month. Our family Christmas party falls on this day each year and so does Owen's friends birthday party. There is also Holiday Magic at the zoo, although we did not go this year. And my office party was also on the same day and we did not go. Owen loaded up on pizza and ice cream at the birthday party and then ran all over playing games and was so wound up he couldn't take a nap. And when we got to the Christmas party he was so excited to play with his cousins that he stayed up way, way past his bed time until he finally crashed. He is usually not a very deep sleeper but this night he stayed asleep when we transferred him to the car and then to bed and even changed his clothes before tucking him in with a kiss.

All Aboard... the Polar Express

Last year we had such a wonderful time on the Polar Express even though Owen was too young to really understand Santa. This year Owen is really excited about Christmas - the decorations, the tree, the lights, the reindeer... and the big man, Santa. So when we told him we were going to ride the Polar Express train to the north pole to see Santa he couldn't stop talking about it. When the big day arrived we got all dressed up in our finest pjs and cousin Stone brought his parents down to join us. We got our pictures in front of the trains.

 

 

 

 We ran with true excitement to see Santa.

 

We waited patiently in line at the train station.

 

And cuddled with our family.

 

All aboard, and take your seats.

  This kid is a natural on camera.

Did you hear... Santa is coming!

Can you see him, look there he is.

  I see him, I see him.

I believe, I can hear the bells.
  
Thanks Santa, this has been so much fun.

 

Merry Christmas!