Merry Christmas! We had a pretty low-key Christmas this year. We stayed local and didn't have any visitors. By special request of grandparents, we did our best to document every "precious moment."
Normally, our kids are pretty good at stopping to strike a pose for the camera. But, it was Christmas... and there were presents... and toys... and treats... and stockings... and with all those distractions we ended up with a lot of blurred, out-of-focus pictures of little girls looking away from the camera. Here are the best of the lot.
Adelaide was genuinely delighted with every single one of her presents and has played with all of them. But, she definitely had two favorites. The Little People Doll House from Grandpa and Grandma Parker is a new living room staple. And, her Let's Rock Elmo from Grandma Donna is her new favorite upstairs toy. Elmo has to stay in her room because he sent Eleanor into a tearful panic when he first started dancing. She's getting used to him though and will even dance along now, from a distance.
Eleanor was a little overwhelmed by all the new toys. She focused in on the books and her new standing tables. But, that's okay. We love that she'll grow into her toys and have "new" things to play with once the current favorites are played out. Are we bad parents if we re-wrap some of her Christmas presents for her birthday in a couple months?
In one of our favorite moments of the day, poor Eleanor fell down while cruising around the furniture (okay, that part was sad!). Adelaide was upstairs playing Let's Rock Elmo with Dad. When she heard the cry, she grabbed her new doctor's kit and came flying down the stairs yelling, "I'm coming Eleanor. I'll help you!" She used every plastic doodad in her kit on Eleanor expect the fake shot. Dr. Adelaide doesn't believe in shots. Having her older sister's complete and focused attention was enough to make Eleanor forget all about bonking her head on a shelf.
And, that was Christmas! Other highlights of the day including skyping with far-away family and a delicious steak dinner with sparkling cider. We're excited to have the rest of the week off with our girls to spend time together and give their new toys a workout.
Normally, our kids are pretty good at stopping to strike a pose for the camera. But, it was Christmas... and there were presents... and toys... and treats... and stockings... and with all those distractions we ended up with a lot of blurred, out-of-focus pictures of little girls looking away from the camera. Here are the best of the lot.
Our smoke-free yule log
Stockings full of treats - puréed fruit packs for Adelaide
and baby fruit puffs for Eleanor. Mom and Dad were less
healthy, bring on the Kit Kats and beef jerky.
The first and last "posed" picture of the day.
The girls hadn't found the presents behind
the couch (under the tree is) yet.
Presents! So sad this turned out blurry, but we're
throwing it in anyway cause it's cute.
Eleanor loved her stand 'n' play piano and table,
but her favorite present was the beef jerky from
Dad's stocking. She absconded with it frequently, hiding
under tables and relishing the crinkly sound of the bag.
An artist in the making
Throughout December Adelaide made
cards and made baked goods (with Mom's help)
to give out as presents to family members and teachers.
She was very excited to give Mom and Dad her
homemade peppermint bark and Christmas tree
pictures on Christmas morning.
Matt's sister Kristin sent Melinda two antique books, a
World War II army-issue New Testament and a very old
copy of Gulliver's Travels. One of our favorite surprises of the morning.
Eleanor was an enthusiastic paper ripper.
Stack o' Rings
Mrs. Potato Head was a hit.
After presents were through, Adelaide
took a nap on her new sleeping bag and
air mattress set from Grandma Gale.
Suddenly, nap time is fun!
Adelaide was genuinely delighted with every single one of her presents and has played with all of them. But, she definitely had two favorites. The Little People Doll House from Grandpa and Grandma Parker is a new living room staple. And, her Let's Rock Elmo from Grandma Donna is her new favorite upstairs toy. Elmo has to stay in her room because he sent Eleanor into a tearful panic when he first started dancing. She's getting used to him though and will even dance along now, from a distance.
Eleanor was a little overwhelmed by all the new toys. She focused in on the books and her new standing tables. But, that's okay. We love that she'll grow into her toys and have "new" things to play with once the current favorites are played out. Are we bad parents if we re-wrap some of her Christmas presents for her birthday in a couple months?
In one of our favorite moments of the day, poor Eleanor fell down while cruising around the furniture (okay, that part was sad!). Adelaide was upstairs playing Let's Rock Elmo with Dad. When she heard the cry, she grabbed her new doctor's kit and came flying down the stairs yelling, "I'm coming Eleanor. I'll help you!" She used every plastic doodad in her kit on Eleanor expect the fake shot. Dr. Adelaide doesn't believe in shots. Having her older sister's complete and focused attention was enough to make Eleanor forget all about bonking her head on a shelf.
Is there a doctor in the house?
aww so cute! adelaide's face is priceless in the =O shot :)
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