best Christmas yet

We've had a few days filled with family togetherness and fun, worship of our savior's birth, and much Santa-related anticipation and joy. On Christmas Eve, we all attended the service at church and then gathered at Gran's for a family meal. We baked a birthday cake for Jesus and even sang to him (something new this year that I hope to do again). We opened a pile of gifts at Gran's house and enjoyed the company of Gran, Pop, Gigi, Uncle Denny, Grandma and GrandBob. We sprinkled Magic Reindeer Food on the lawns at our house and Gran's, and if you're wondering, Magic Reindeer Food consists of oats, deer corn, and silver glitter all mixed together (brought home from his preschool class). And then, once we returned home, we began the long and laborious process of getting Dennis to fall asleep (it finally happened at 12:15, whereas David had fallen asleep by 10:00). I got in bed with Dennis, telling him that I knew it was hard to fall asleep on Christmas Eve, but he replied "not for me! Now be quiet and go to sleep, Mommy, or Santa won't come."

Dennis awoke at a nice, respectable 7:44, not so early as to promote parental misery. He came straight to our room rather than checking the tree first, so we were able to see his reaction to the box that was easily five times the size of himself (wrapped, of course, and containing his new battery-powered 4 wheeler). He opened it last, prolonging his own anticipation. Of all the Rescue Heroes, Transformers, knight costumes, clothes, book & movie, Gyro Bowl, snow sled, and games (and more!) that he received, all have gotten play. I think the Rescue Heroes and their vehicles are the absolute favorites, but he's spent lots of time with his new dragon castle and knights as well. He had a GOOD Christmas. And it isn't over yet-- there are eleven more days of (small) gift giving to come.

Imagine Dennis' delight at finding a boot print in front of the new fireplace along with the cookies on Santa's plate gone except for a few crumbs. Neely apparently caught his ride back to the North Pole as expected, and he took his pajamas and sleeping bag with him. His last bit of mischief was to sit with Toy Story Jesse under the mistletoe. We found them kissing on Christmas Eve morning. Also, we found a sleigh bell outside where we'd sprinkled the Magic Reindeer Food. Dennis is certain that it came from Dasher's harness. He says he'll keep it forever.

We spent our Christmas evening in Birmingham with the Dennis family, meeting two fiancées soon to join our ever-expanding family, and wished our congrats to Alan and Melinda and Austin and Kacey. And we finally made it home late last night and just crashed into bed. We are still so exhausted even today, possibly even more so since David worked all day and Dennis and I hit the after Christmas sales with Gran. We had a low key evening at home, playing with his castle and knights and playing Candyland (the gift he opened today). It's been wonderful, and the blessings just keep coming!