What a merry Christmas Grace has had! Here is a list of things Grace has learned over the last week of holiday fun:
- Savor presents by slooowly ripping off small pieces of paper at a time
- The magic words this time of year are, “Open it!” with an occasional, “Please”
- Take time to play with each new gift immediately…unless it’s clothes : (
- A Santa hat is the perfect accessory
- More sprinkles can fix any Christmas cookie
- Behind the Christmas tree is the perfect hiding spot for mischief, like secretly opening gifts
- Shoveling Christmas snow is great fun
- Trust no one else to put out the cookies and milk, it’s best to do it yourself
- Rise early on Christmas morning, with first wake-up call at 5:41 a.m.
With family Christmases beginning a week in advance, Grace had plenty of opportunities to learn how the holidays work and practice her new holiday social skills. Grace’s first round of Christmas fun started with a visit to Grandpa Paul and Grandma Darla’s house where she chased after Landon and Jake, helped Grandpa make a fire, and enjoyed opening new books and some Elmo PJ’s.
[flickr-gallery mode=”photoset” photoset=”72157625540723129″ fg_filter=”favorites” extras=”description,tags” tags=”Paul Darla Xmas”]Then it was off to Great Grandma Bea and Great Grandpa Bob’s family Christmas with more chasing, lots of snacking, and a new baby doll and very loud Tickle Me Elmo (which Grace thinks is so funny, but Mom and Dad do not!).
[flickr-gallery mode=”photoset” photoset=”72157625540723129″ fg_filter=”favorites” extras=”description,tags” tags=”Grandma Bea Xmas”]When she was just getting good at all this opening presents business, it was time for Christmas with Grandma Donna and Grandpa Ron. More chasing Landon, terrorizing the new kitty Kali, and of course opening presents like play food and puzzles followed.
[flickr-gallery mode=”photoset” photoset=”72157625540723129″ fg_filter=”favorites” extras=”description,tags” tags=”Ron Donna Xmas”]One might think Grace would have been tired of all this Christmas jazz after all of that, but she was just getting started! The official day was approaching and she was on a roll! With Mom and Dad off work starting the 23rd, the holiday became a three day event—with Grace attempting to hide and open one of her presents every day. Christmas Eve brought lots of snow, so Grace helped Daddy shovel the drive before warming up inside by baking some Christmas cookies for Santa. More traditions followed with a Christmas Eve church service, putting out milk and cookies, and reading the Night Before Christmas with Daddy. Finally it was Christmas morning and time to discover what Santa had brought. Grace was excited by the kitchen set that Santa delivered, as well as her new books, puzzle, play food, magna doodle and candy.
[flickr-gallery mode=”photoset” photoset=”72157625540723129″ fg_filter=”favorites” extras=”description,tags” tags=”Geoff Jill Xmas”]When the excitement of the morning had finally slowed down, it was time for Grace to put on her Santa hat for travels to Washington D.C. Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma Janes and Uncle Greg awaited…more to come about that! : )
Additional pictures available on Flickr