It's a fact. As the family starts to leave and the house grows quiet, the last notes of Christmas music play on the radio, and the last running of A Christmas Story marathon finally shows, I want to cry. In fact, I have cried on many Christmas nights because I didn't want it to end. This year, Larkyn cried when I put her to bed. She is my girl. It was truly a special day, not without chaos and stress on a few occasions, but I can't wait to do it again a year from now!
The kids slept in until 8, but it was still dark outside. She is opening her first Barbie. I was secretly happy that it has been ignored. I just felt it was kind of a rite of passage for a 4.5 year old?
New flybike. But prefers 4 year old pink ball.
Cavs tickets, baby!
The big presents were in the basement, lovingly put together by mommy and daddy just hours before.
She says, "Come on, Rhys! Let's play 'People'!"
I'm an idiot for cleaning this up three times.
He is OBSESSED with Nana's "pops". He even tried to climb the fridge to get them from their hiding place!
I honestly think these shoes were her favorite gift. See the sparkles on the side? She's in Shoe Heaven.
My mom's face was priceless when she opened up the ornament with Dad's handwriting.
Cake pop-face trying to figure out his sirens.
Her new hangout to encourage independent play and relaxation. Actually when she is away, I plan to go in and relax for myself. Kidding?
I love the little hippie girls on horses!
She's gotten frustrated with a lot of the games we have tried, but this one was a great match for her. She has asked to play it with me a few times. Of course, I NEVER get to be Elsa.
Hmmm...I don't know how I feel about those bath toys, grandma.
But thank you for the train! Anything with wheels for this boy.
Wooooo. We got an Easy Bake Oven. It was kind of exciting to use it, because I have never experienced the magic of an Easy Bake Oven....
All the ladies got in on the baking action...
And the result...very PINK. And gave her some major tummy troubles that night. Luckily I have found about 400 homemade Easy Bake recipes on Pinterest.
Paw Paw was with us at dinner.
And in this beautiful Christmas sunset.
My mom got my siblings and I these memory stones and a matching ornament with my dad's name. A daily reminder of the man who loved going all-out for my presents as a kid...making sure I got THE thing I wanted and trying his best to pick out things I would like every once in a while. He loved sitting back and watching the kids (and whatever game was on TV) and eating a BIG Christmas meal. He never skipped my dessert. On Christmas, my heart hurt (a lot) when the kids were in bed and I happened to find myself with Christmas music on all by myself.
It was a beautiful day, but I do wish he would have been there. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones!
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