Christmas Eve has always been one of my absolute favorite days of the year. As I child, I remember being soooo excited about Santa coming that night and opening presents after dinner from my family and eating some delicious food. I remember singing songs by the piano as I attempted to play Christmas songs and recording our Christmas Eve "present opening" which has brought us so much laughter in later years. Now, as a parent, Christmas Eve is still possibly my most favorite day of the year! The traditions...the excitement...the joy...the anticipation...it all adds up to absolute bliss.
We always start the morning off with one present for the kids....as soon as they wake up, they get to open one present. Then we play, we run last minute errands, we ALWAYS eat at chick fil a for lunch, and we rest up for a fun evening ahead. DeeDee comes over with some delicious appetizers and casseroles, Scott brings presents and a big ole Ham for the meal, and I get dessert and kid-friendly food prepared for us all. We eat on our China, enjoy the delicious food but the company even more, and prepare for some craziness to get started! Opening presents is the part that the kids have been waiting on all day....and with DeeDee here to spoil them rotten, this becomes a couple hours of wrapping paper, toys, boxes, and clothes chaos! We unwrap, we squeal with excitement, we take pictures, we laugh, and we may even shed a tear over something a little extra special....and then we get ready for the party. The party? The birthday party for Jesus. We light candles for the cake and we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus...the birthday boy...the one that this holiday is all about. And our kids get it. They love the presents and the food and the silly fun....but they "get it"...they know what Christmas is about.
At the end of the day, the kids go to sleep, Eric and I play Santa, DeeDee gets extra cuddles with James and Grafton, Scott gets to help out with assembling toys, and it looks like Santa is on his way. And every single Christmas Eve, before I go to sleep, I sit in my bed and think of what an amazing day it has been. What an amazing Christmas season we have gotten to celebrate. What an amazing blessing we have had the chance to prepare for. Sweet, baby Jesus....the greatest gift of all....over two thousand years ago he was almost here....amazing beyond words.
Christmas Eve morning
Eric making red pancakes- snowmen, trucks, and trains!
Picture courtesy of Grafton!
Lots of laughter going on :)
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
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