End of 2014 Celebration Extravaganza 2 - Christmas(es)

The eighth night of Chanukah coincided with this year's Grandma-Mommy-Caroline night out at the Nutcracker.  Earlier in the month we went to see our friend Anjali perform in a community Nutcracker and the boys were entranced through the first act and then got a little squirmy in the second act, so we made it just us girls again this year.  Caroline was beyond excited, but she was a little squirmier than she had been last year.  It was really all about being dressed up, wearing her new high heels from Grandma, and going out to dinner.

Kisses for Mommy at Mel's

Yum! Soda!

And then the next day it was Christmas Eve!  Time for Grandma, Boppy, Uncle, and Wendy to come over and open gifts and eat ham!  YUM!

too many presents!

Uncle and Wendy took off for the Aragon Christmas Eve in San Jose and Grandma and Boppy stayed to watch movies with us while we rotated through bath times.  Hilariously, the kids kept throwing Boppy under the bus, blaming him for things.  I was in the bathroom with Max when Daniel came in, sobbing, saying, "Boppy says it's just for girls!" I took him outside to calm down and get the story and he said he asked to play with Caroline's new make-up and mirror that she'd gotten as a gift but Boppy said he couldn't.  I hugged Daniel and glared at Boppy, mouthing, "gender stereotyper!"  And this is when Boppy pointed out that what he'd ACTUALLY said was that Daniel should ask Mommy about make-up because HE doesn't know how to do it!  Later, while Caroline bathed, Max asked for another piece of cake.  I told him to ask Boppy to get him a piece and he came back telling me Boppy said he couldn't have it.  Turned out, Boppy told him he'd have to ask Mommy if it was OK first.  Ah...four year old communications!

That night, after everyone went home, we set out some cookies and candy canes for Santa.  And sure enough, the next morning a few nibbles had been taken out and there was a thank you note left for the kids.

Daddy picked up Auntie, who'd flown in late the night before, and we waited patiently until they got there to open the extra presents that Santa had brought over night (and the additional ones that Daddy and Auntie brought).

And then Caroline got dressed up to go to Grandma and Papa's house for Christmas Day.