Christmas - better late than never?

This was the first year that we told Hollie about Santa and reindeer and all that.  It needed quite a lot of explaining, many many times.  I kept thinking she'd got it, and then she'd ask something like, "Mommy, when is Santa going to bring our tree?" so finally I made her a little book outlining the whole deal, and soon she could practically read it herself.

When Christmas eve rolled around, we decided, after some deliberation, not to tell her that it was Christmas eve.  Bedtime is tough enough as it is.

Daniel and I were up til about 3am - wrapping the last few gifts, filling the stockings, putting out a plate with some crumbs and a glass with a little milk, writing out a little note in silver sharpie.  When she came to get me in the morning (she always comes straight to our room when she wakes up), I took her out to the living room and said, "Wow, Hollie, I think Santa brought us some presents!"

Her reaction: priceless.

'There's a whole bunch."

With about as little enthusiasm as you can imagine.  Just stating a fact.

I turned her attention to the note, the cookie crumbs, and the glass.
No big deal.  Whatever, Mom.

Tried the stockings next.  In hers, she found a package of new underwear.  That got a smile.  Next, a little box of Goldfish crackers.  That got a BIG smile, and she ran to show them to Daddy, who was just joining us.  Then she was into it, and went from there.

As she opened each toy, she had to examine it, explain to us what it was.  The first one she came to (because it wasn't wrapped) was a small rocking chair.  She sat down and said, "I can rock my babies when they cry!".  Then she unwrapped a big Clifford stuffed animal and said, "I think he says ruff!"

It took literally hours.  And that is not a reflection of the number of gifts, just the fact that we spent a half hour with each one before we moved on.  Not complaining!  It was awesome.  Christmas is my favorite holiday, and the past few years, every Christmas has been better than the last.  Can't wait for the next one.  :)

Also, a favorite gift...matching PJs!!!