This was our first Christmas alone. With the timing of our closing date and airline policies regarding traveling while pregnant, we decided to stay in Seattle this year. Our families aren't going to like hearing this, but Erik and I enjoyed staying at home, avoiding busy holiday airports, disrupted toddler sleep schedules and routines, and the general craziness that comes with holidays away from home.
We started some fun traditions of our own. Christmas Eve we opened presents early and had cheese fondue. Jane was thrilled to open presents of course! We kept gift giving minimal this year, yet she still seemed to get so much stuff.... Christmas morning Santa came!!! It was so exciting! Jane seemed to get most of it and even insisted that she heard reindeer footprints on the rooftop (just like a character in one of her books). Jane also opened a few presents from mom and dad.
A few favorites:
Jane's favorite Christmas books: Olivia Helps with Chirstmas, all four of her Christmas Little Critter books, Bearenstain Bears Trim the Tree
Jane's favorite Christmas movie: Berenstain Bears Christmas movie
Jane requested: Toys, no pretty dresses and no books!
Jane's favorite stocking stuffer: an elephant stuffed animal that was peeking out of her stocking
Jane's favorite present: Green Toys flower stacking toy (I was surprised, I thought it would be the easel or the stroller)
Jen's favorite thing about Christmas: enjoying Christmas in our new house with Erik and Jane
Erik's favorite thing about Christmas: The new house (and having all of the furniture moved in before Christmas)
Decorating the Christmas Tree
We closed on our house on Dec 21st. We got the keys late that night so didn't start moving until Dec 22nd. The tree was one of the first things we moved in!
Christmas Eve
We opened some presents and had cheese fondue. Below is a picture of our delighted daughter as she heads to the tree to choose a present to open.
Jane expertly rips open a present from Bumpa Dave and Grandma Karen (left, a tea set which she loves to play with in the bath tub!) and asks if the present is hers (right)
Jane got an easel from my parents. The little artist LOVES it of course!
Erik's mom sent him a stack of books and Jane redecorates the Christmas tree
Cheese fondue at our new dining room table. It's a little blurry because the flash wasn't on but it's the only picture where Jane is holding still and looking at the camera.
Finally, we left milk and cookies for Santa! We told pink dogs that the cookies were for Santa, so they better not eat them!
Christmas Morning
Jane LOVED the Santa traditions, despite not liking Santa himself!
Jane mastered present opening! She's ready for more (as she says; I think she has plenty of toys!)
Jane paints at her new easel wearing her Santa hat (all her idea) and her new dress that she got from Santa.
Jane pushes her new doll stroller (notice who has joined the pink dogs in all of Jane's adventures) and makes waffles for Christmas breakfast.
And finally...a very short video. Jane made up her own sign for open presents and says "ho ho ho!" I had been trying to get her to say that for the entire month of December and she finally did it! Jane remembers everything that was in her stocking (she says "ho ho ho" and points to whatever it was that Santa brought her).
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