When the kids were little, one year when they begged to sleep under the Christmas tree on the Christmas eve, I said: "No. But you can tonight" (which was the 23rd). And a tradition was begun. Every year since then, when they were home, they have slept under the tree. As the older children grew up and married and started families of their own, Gil and I offered to keep the tradition going with our grand-children and let the adults have this night for a date or to use in any way they want. We had 10 kids for the first part of the evening.
We had pizza for dinner - and the little ones ate and ran. I took this photo to show that our children are training their children well. We fed 10 kids and some adults and this was all that was left on the table. Most of the kids took their dishes off the table as they left. Clean up was a snap and I really am impressed because I didn't ask one child to take their dishes- they did it on their own!
Gil had a wonderful idea - we went to the church gym to play broom hockey and run run run. The Girls had a great time performing on the stage and we all enjoyed the adventure.
Next we opened pajama presents. I made the bottoms this year- and enjoyed the challenge.
Hannah, McKayla, Emma and Hallie
Tucker and Carter- two great guys with a bunch of girls!
Bree was the first to fall asleep. She was out even before all the kids selected their sleeping spots.
Stella and Aspen were the last to fall asleep. They just couldn't settle down and finally I had to separate them. But it was 11:30 and tomorrow is Christmas Eve! -No morning photo's - it was poffertjes, sausage, eggs and juice for breakfast and lots of playing to do before we gathered together again for Christmas eve and cousin gift exchange. I love this - some day I won't worry about the little ones getting to sleep- but for now we do so that they aren't too grumpy and tired by Christmas.
Ellie discovered the hidden fruit snacks AND the joy of emptying the cupboards
We made valentines and more valentines. Some wound up taped to doors in heart attacks.
Zoe and Bree started to wash their hands, and discovered it's just as much fun to wash hair with wash rags. They giggled and giggled.
Bree was invited to a princess party. We discovered that the princess dress ups were really tattered, so we made her a new one. (in one afternoon- don't look closely at the construction)
Another joyous photo of Ellie. She took all the bowls out of the cupboard and served blocks in them. Yummy.
