Christmas Morning!

We had kept all of the presents locked downstairs in the guest room so they wouldn't be opened prematurely, and brought them out after the boys went to bed on Christmas Eve. We made sure it looked like the presents were overflowing and didn't stuff any under the tree.

Andrew somehow knew the presents were locked in the basement, and Keith had told him he had to be good so Santa could bring him presents.

So this is what that equalled in a 3-year-old brain: A couple of days before Christmas, Andrew came running up from the basement and told me I had to come downstairs and unlock the door because Santa was locked in the basement. And several times that day, I asked Andrew, "Who's locked in our basement?"

"Santa," he would always answer.

Now how do you fix this without laughing and confusing him even more?!

When Andrew first went downstairs Christmas morning, he just kind of stared in awe and said something about how Santa came. He wasn't really awake and didn't quite know what to think.

Little Einsteins keyboard

Andrew is really into Cars, so we got him Lightning McQueen, Sally, Chick Hicks and a carpet road map of Radiator Springs. This is a picture Andrew took. Notice how the cars are lined up. So Type-A!

Jonathan got a little Jack-in-the-Box

Jonathan was still sick, and I'm sure eating chalk didn't help his tummy!

Jonathan playing a little drum tune.
He's such a good sick baby!

The aftermath

We had a fun and quiet Christmas morning at home. I think this was the first Christmas we've been at home since we are married - 7 years! It was fun to the watch boys open their gifts and Keith made yummy chocolate-chip pancakes and we all lounged around in pjs until noon. Jonathan slept in and then took a mid-morning nap while Andrew played. What a great Christmas morning!

Jonathan was still having diarrhea, so we waited until late in the afternoon to join the Nisly Christmas party. We got to Al and Dorothy's around 4, in time for dinner and the White Elephant Gift Exchange. And let me tell you, there were some doozy gifts. I got to open three because my treasures kept getting stolen. Lucky me. I ended up with a bag of bags. And not just any bags. No these were rejected free bags that came with purchases of make up, perfume, lotion, etc. Now I admit I have a bag obsession, but I don't know that i have a use for any of these. I think they might have to go in the garage sale pile!

My first gift was an electrical cord and a travel kit.

Ashley got this sad little ornament in a basket. She ended up with one of the best gifts - there was $5 hidden in the ornament.

Marilyn got this lovely bag and light-up snowman. Surprisingly, no one stole her gift!

My second gift was an HD DVD player - which was quickly stolen from me.