Early Christmas

Yesterday we celebrated "Early Christmas" which is when we pretend it's Christmas morning and open all the presents that are not coming with us to actual Christmas if we are traveling that year. Part of the reason we do Early Christmas is because we cannot travel with a huge quantity of gifts. But also, it spreads out the gifts over multiple days. This allows the kids (and adults) to focus better on the gift and the giver and not getting lost in excess (although I totally acknowledge, the excess is real). 

This was the first year we've done a genuine Early Christmas with basically everything you'd traditionally do on Christmas (Santa, stockings, special breakfast, etc). There is a certain amount of extra effort in pulling it off with kids, but it was worth it and SO FUN. It really felt like Christmas. Kip and Ivy were both really excited by the whole event and the best part is that little let down you feel at the end of Christmas wasn't really the end...we still have real Christmas next week!!!

On Saturday afternoon we took the kids to Five Below for them to each pick presents for each other. This was the first year we've done that and they did such an awesome job finding gifts for each other. There was PTO fundraiser happening at the same time so a percentage of our purchase went back to Kip's school.

The kids wrapped their presents to each other and put them under the tree. Kip added some other gifts that he bought at his school holiday fair. 

Then we set out our plate of cookies for Santa. We asked Mrs. Claus at Storybook Land what Santa liked best and she said chocolate chip. So we got him two big cookies from Panera. We also filled a bowl of carrots for the reindeer and left a small piece of cheese for Santa Mouse (have you read that sweet book?). The kids spiced-up the display with some of their "friends" and a high chair for Santa Mouse.

After the kids were asleep, we played Santa and brought all the gifts out and stuffed the stockings. These are Santa gifts as well as gifts from us, Poppa, Mandy, and my uncle Greg. The kids also get gifts from Dan's boss, "Uncle Joey" who like his gifts to come from Santa. That's why their Santa piles are so big. 

The next morning we gleefully came downstairs to presents spilling out from under the tree and a note from Santa.

For Mandy and I, it felt just like the Christmas mornings we remembered. Kip told Dan later that night that he loved being in the room filling-up with shredded wrapping paper and still more presents to open. That was his favorite part of the day (not a specific gift or toy but a moment that will surely be a memory). 

Mandy made her scones which is a Christmas morning exclusive (she never makes them any other time)! We lounged around in our PJs until late morning, moving from toy to toy and listening to Christmas music.

This is a funny little side story. Poppa got Ivy the Pretty Pretty Princess game (unicorn version) and in that game the crown passes from player to player depending on when you land on it. So Kip landed on the crown and I had to take it from Ivy to put on Kip. She was outraged and launched her tiny body to get it back. Dan had to restrain here and then she promptly quit the game.

Lololol. That's a three year old for ya.

We eventually got around for the day and since it wasn't real Christmas, everything was open for business so we went out for a special lunch at the Mexican restaurant we went to with Poppa and Jagee when they were here for Thanksgiving. 

And then back home for an afternoon of playing.

 

I'll be honest, it was extra hard to get up this morning with a full week of work and school ahead of break, but at least we still have lots to look forward to next week.

Merry Monday!