Elizabeth and Ella: Merry Christmas

Dear Friends and Family - Sorry but I just didn't get it together enough to send out Holiday Photo Cards this year. I am hoping to send something for Chinese New Year.

We had a wonderful holiday and loved spending time at home with just us 3. On Xmas eve the girls finally got to open some presents. They had been working on me on and off that week to "open just one Mom" but I stuck to my guns.

On Xmas Eve we just hung out at home during the day. I watched a bunch of tv that I wanted and the girls played and watched TV too. We also made cookies as we had to have some for Santa.

While we were waiting for these to bake, the girls played some more and practiced piano. They were trying to play Ode to Joy as a duet as well as Jingle Bells. I loved it and got it on video. I couldn't help thinking of my Mom though. She was a piano player too. The girls did not ok the upload of the video but it was very cute.

After cookies, we got cleaned up and went to Xmas Eve service. It was packed. We also are not used to sitting in pews anymore. Dad's church has comfy chairs and no kneelers... so we are out of practice. LOL

I wanted to have a tradition we could build on each year so this year we drove around and ooohhh and aaaad over other people's outdoor lights. I think one night this weekend we are going to drive downtown and check out Rice park too.

Then we came home and the girls got to open presents. I think they were happy.

Elizabeth put together the Sponge Bob Lego set she has wanted and Ella played and played with the toy pony. Sooner or later it will join her American Girl play area. I am also checking with a friend to see if they can make a toy stable for the horse.

One more picture and then it was bedtime.

Thankfully I had taken a snooze while the girls were playing with their new toys and I was able to be Santa's assistant. I do have pictures from the next morning but I can't put them on the blog. The girls don't wear more than tshirts and undies for pjs so those are not pictures I will show to anyone. Sorry. But trust me... they loved the gifts. Elizabeth had asked the night before what time she had to wait til. I said 5:30 but I really didn't think she would get up that early. At 5:50 she was in my room and then went to Ella's. Ella told Elizabeth she just needed one more hour. So Elizabeth and I went down and she opened her gifts. She got a cake pop maker, cookbook, and cakepop supplies along with a gift card and other fun stuff in her stocking.

Elizabeth couldn't wait so she went up and got Ella. This time Ella stayed awake. Ella loved her gifts too. She got a sewing machine, pattern books and sewing kit. She also got a gift card and fun stuff in her stocking. I got a laptop battery charger... just what I needed and lotion and chocolates... mmm good.

I took a little nap and then we got ready to go to Kevin and Doreens for Xmas Brunch. As usual it was a great time and Dad was doing great. He was styling in new jeans and shirt and looked great. It was lovely seeing Alissa, Lee, Josh, Laura, Lyndsay, Jere, Noah and Hunter. Thanks for hosting Brother! The girls were treated very nicely as well. They got more great presents including books, doll toys, manicure set, and gift cards.