Christmas Day 2016

HoHoHo, Christmas Day is here! At 6am, our children were wide awake and telling us that Santa had left gifts under our Christmas tree. As usual, we started the day off easy by opening our stockings in bed. 

But their was no taming their excitement and so we went on to unwrap some gifts in the living room.

Elliot especially was eager to open his gifts and was very efficient at unwrapping them. I guess he was looking for something specific.

Each child only made one wish to Santa this year: Amelia wanted a Barbie Dream House and Elliot an Imaginext Shark Bite Pirate Ship. Both requests were made in the beginning of December and so it was up to Santa to try and find some good deals fast. Luckily, we scored a barely used Barbie house online for only 1/4 of the price they charge for a new one and the pirate ship on sale at the toy store. As you can imagine, both kids were looking if Santa had brought them what they dearly wished for. And of course, he did. They were delivered upstairs in the playroom: 

Two very happy children:

In between unwrapping gifts, we ate a delicious Christmas breakfast. I definitely will add the French Toast Cinnamon Roll casserole on a must-have Christmas breakfast item next year again.

And more gifts with lots of hugs and little thank you's:

Despite the fact that we only give 3 gifts to each child (a want, a need/ clothing and something spiritual/ educational item) for Christmas, we had lots of gifts to unwrap, thanks to all the grandparents and their aunt and uncle. Amelia's three gifts this year consisted of the Barbie house, a good-quality backpack (I scored on sale; a definite need as her old one was falling apart), and a new board game (learning tool). Elliot got his wanted pirated ship, a Noah's Arc floor puzzle and a cool miner hard hat with light. Both kids also got a beautiful wooden nativity set from Oma, which we will keep out year around.

Family picture in our pj's, courtesy of my new tripod (a big thanks to my father):

I stayed in my pajama all day!

Because it was 70F outside, Derrick and the kids decided to wash the cars while I cooked dinner:

Everyone was back in their pj's in time to enjoy a traditional German Christmas meal: roasted duck, mashed potatoes (no potato dumplings this year 😒), red cabbage, and Brussels Sprouts. We really enjoyed this fancy feast, champagne and Trifle dessert while singing Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus:

Before bed, Amelia wanted to make sure that I capture her reciting the German Christmas poem she learned a few days ago:

It was truly a magical day and I'm not sure which is better: Christmas as a child or Christmas with little children.

We didn't have to go anywhere or get out of our pj's... we watched movies, played with our new toys, took a nap and enjoyed a delicious 5-star meal in the comforts of our home. Just the perfect way to spend the most wonderful holiday of the year, with the four people that matter most to me! 

We hope your Christmas was as merry and bright Christmas as ours!