What a wonderful couple of Christmases we had this week! On Christmas Day, the first thing Declan wanted to check was the plate of carrots left outside for the reindeer – YES! Santa had come! From there, he bounded into the living room and saw that the cookies and milk had disappeared as well. And presents were under the tree! And stockings were filled! During this family time at home, each child received three presents, in the style of the three gifts presented to baby Jesus: a gift from Santa, a gift from Mommy and Daddy, and an ornament from Mommy intended to represent a special event that took place that year. This year’s ornament for Declan was a horseshoe crab ornament to help remember the good times we had in Cape May and all of the horseshoe crabs we found the last time we visited. Quinn got a crazy-looking sock monkey cowgirl ornament because she just “liked” it when we passed by it at the store, but it marks her arrival into our lives this year and all of the accompanying adventures. When they move out, they’ll take their special ornaments with them to decorate their own tree someday (sniff).
The next day, 12/26, we had such a good time eating and celebrating the holiday at Gemma and Papa’s house along with Grandma, Grandpa, Gumpa, Uncle George, Auntie Vanessa, and Kai! Lots of fun, lots of presents, and plenty of high-octane excitement experiencing Christmas as a large, happy extended family. We’re so blessed to be surrounded by so much love and generosity. One highlight of the day was toasting to the one-year anniversary of “Gotcha Day,” the day Kai came into George and Vanessa’s, and all of our lives.
Then we got to visit the next few days with Kai and family – a neat chance for the cousins to spend time playing together. Declan loves being a “helper” with Kai and was constantly offering her bits of food, or showing her something was “OK” like holding her hand to touch his toy “watch it hatch from an egg” baby dinosaur. Quinn couldn’t get enough of Kai and tried to be near her as much as possible. Kai liked being in our laps for storytime and occasional stolen kisses, but she seemed to welcome a break once in a while from Quinn’s overly-friendly overtures. The time passed too quickly, and they went home too soon. Can’t wait until the next visit together!
Building with his new Tinkertoys on Christmas Day with Daddy
Happy cousins
Playing “horsie” on Mike’s lap
Quinn trying to play “store” with Kai
Cutting Uncle George’s practice session a little short to perform some rousing renditions of “Eensy Weensy Spider” and the “Alphabet Song”
