I thought I would share our last 24 hours with those of you who are interested. A few days ago we decided that the 4 of us just couldn't spend both Christmas Eve and Christmas day "alone". We invited my Dad and Aunt over for a very informal "lets just be together" day yesterday. The rest of my family is in Arizona visiting other relatives. They came over around noon and we had several frozen appetizers, cookies, chex mix, etc. My goal for the day was to watch as many Christmas movies as possible. While they were here we watched Elf and Christmas Vacation. The kids got a lot of good play time in too as their great aunt chased them around the house and played "store" with Rylee's new grocery cart and cash register. We then had very delicious chili made by my wonderful husband (I've been REALLY enjoying his cooking/baking lately!).
After our company left Rylee was very anxious to get started on the "Santa" festivities. I made them put their Christmas jammies on first so I could get some pictures. We then set out a cookie (which neither Santa nor Mrs. Claus wanted after all the food they ate during the day), and put carrots in the yard for the reindeer. My favorite thing to witness though, was Rylee constantly watching out the windows for Rudolph's red nose.
While I was picking up toys, I realized that one of Wyatt's light-up drum sticks would make the PERFECT Rudolph nose. It is red and the perfect shape and size. James took the drum stick outside and ran through the yard....Rylee truly thought it was Rudolph! We told her that Santa saw she was still awake and had to go deliver presents to the rest of the town first and would then be back after she was asleep.
After that fun, I made the kids endure a few pictures by the tree before bed. Here's a look at that how well that went -- Schaack Christmas Eve Shenanigans:
Finally, we put the kids to bed around 7:30, which was a little earlier than normal, but neither of them minded. We all laid in Rylee's bed and read several Christmas stories before saying Good-Night.
As we weren't particularly tired, and couldn't deliver gifts until kiddos were asleep, James and I turned on the tv to see which Christmas shows were on. It's a Wonderful Life had just started and I had never seen that movie. Last year I recorded it, but never took the time to watch it. I knew it was supposed to be a "feel good" movie and as I was in such a fantastic mood and had been reflecting on life lately, I decided now might be the perfect time to watch it. I had a hard time getting into it, but by the end I loved it and felt a sense of heart-warming (mine has been a little cold at times this year).
Between a few recent events in my life and stories I had been reading all week about peoples' favorite Christmas memories being not gifts, but being surrounded by loved ones I started to realize just how important being with friends and loved ones really is. It made me also take an honest look at how selfish I have been at times. One of my favorite lessons from It's a Wonderful Life was that we impact every life we come into contact with and I would hate to think that I had a negative impact on a life. I also did some reading on Saint Nicholas this week (was curious about the origin of Santa Claus) and decided I could take a lesson from him as well.
After the movie (it's a long one!), James and I delivered the presents to the Christmas tree and stockings and then went to bed. I was sure I was never going to fall asleep -- too excited!
(the reindeer isn't new...just felt the need to leave a little "Santa Sillines" behind)
I decided to take their stockings down from the mantle and place them in front of their gifts...Rylee was not a fan of that this morning...noted!
6:22 AM - "Mom, let's go to the living room." At least, I think that's what she said, but not for sure because I was STILL SLEEPING! Guess I forgot to tell Santa that I wanted our whole family to sleep until 7 this morning. We got up with her and went to the living room. The first thing she noticed was that her and Wyatt's stockings were missing from the mantle. She was definitely excited to see presents, but it wasn't quite the reaction I was hoping for. I'm not sure if she just didn't know what to say, or was waiting for us to say something, but she was just kind of calm.
About 5 minutes later Wyatt woke up and we got started. We took turns looking in our stockings first. Rylee's contained Frozen Jelly Beans, Frozen lip gloss and nail polish, gum, m&m's, and hand sanitizer - her obsession. Wyatt got 2 toothbrushes and m&m's. James received candy and reusable hand warmers for hunting. My stocking contained my favorite gift of the season -- an ornament -- picked out by Rylee, my best friend and baking buddy, and it couldn't be any more perfect!!
Next, we opened presents one by one, in no particular order. Rylee got plenty of Frozen things, as she requested. My favorite part of her opening gifts was when she opened her Elsa doll and excitedly said, "It's what I've always wanted!!!" Best.Christmas Moment.Ever!! She also really liked the $1.99 recorder that her brother got her :) She said, "Now I have my own recorder like Danielle (cousin)!" She and Wyatt both loved her Frozen Watch that sings "Do you want to build a snowman".
Wyatt did a good job opening presents, but wasn't overly excited about any of his gifts. He got a bowling set (that's super loud), a new cup with a hard plastic straw he can't chew off, tractor movies, an Olaf doll from Rylee and a giant dump truck that they are both having loads of fun with! They both also got jammies and a book.
It was a pretty successful Christmas for the kiddos. Rylee has told us "thank you" several times and that she loves all of her presents. It's been lots of fun watching her play with all of her (and Wyatt's) new things.
James and I don't normally do gifts, other than small stocking stuffers. We are both hard to buy for and prefer to pick out our own things. This year though, Rylee made sure we had presents to open. It was fun and I really loved everything I got -- 2 pairs of jammies and a beautiful "bling" western belt! Good job Daddy and Kiddos! James got underwear and a bomber hat - fun right?
We were done opening gifts by 7:00 and moved on to breakfast...which was a strawberry and cream cheese butter braid we had bought from a local FFA student. It was delish!! The rest of the day has been relaxing as the kids play with their new things and we watch some Christmas shows. Rylee and James made us a heart shaped pizza for lunch, which Rylee requested "because we all love each other". It was yummy too!
This has been a very wonderful Christmas season and I feel truly blessed to have such amazing people in my life. I hope this post finds you all celebrating with loved ones and feeling fortunate for everything in your lives. I saw on Facebook that several of my friends are sick, but as shown on It's a Wonderful Life, we can even be grateful for those not-so-great things. One friend who found out she has shingles posted,"Shingle Bells, Shingle Bells.." -- Way to shed light on an unfortunate situation!
Merry Christmas and Warm Hugs!!
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