Continuing our tradition, we spent Christmas Eve with the Kelly Clan at Casa Salvatore. But in the morning, it became clear that the high anticipation was going to make it difficult to contain the kids throughout the time before nap time.
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| "Why aren't the presents under the tree?" |
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| "Hey, can we do something?" |
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| "Yeah, let's go somewhere!" |
So I got everyone dressed and we went out for a walk. We headed down the street and they asked to go in and visit at the Chinese restaurant a block and a half away (it's important to specify, as we have three Chinese restaurants within that radius). When we walked in, they weren't really ready for business, so the lovely lady who greeted us offered the kids lollipops and asked us to come back in a little while. So we wandered down to the park for a little impromptu holiday lollipop picnic.
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| This has to be my favorite picture from the morning |
Then we headed back to the restaurant for some rice (the kids wanted white rice, but the waitress insisted on bringing us chicken fried rice too) and more lollipops.
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| Check out Max's new haircut! |
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| The kids' fortunes (Daniel, Max, Caroline from top to bottom) |
Then it was nap time for the kiddos so that the adults could get the house ready for everyone and everything. Grandma and Boppy came over with extra presents and we got the kids up and dressed and to the dinner table.
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| Getting ready to chow down! |
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| Max in his "uncle shirt" from Auntie Lee Ann |
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| Daniel in his "uncle shirt" from Auntie Lee Ann |
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| Caroline showing off her cool new outfit |
We opened presents after dinner, and then it was back to the table for dessert. And then back to the living room to play with our toys!
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| Caroline in her new Little Mermaid PJs, playing with her fancy music box - thanks, Wendy! |
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| Grandma and Daniel were wiped out! |
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| Max didn't wait plugging in the Toy Story DVD |
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| And playing with the Buzz Lightyear toys |
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| Opening Daddy's coffee grinder for them |
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| Putting Woody and Bullseye together |
And then it was time to take baths and toddle off to bed to get the kids ready for Christmas Day.
And to breathe a little.
