Christmas morning is reserved for just the three of us. First, Avery hops into bed with us and we read the Christmas story from the book of Luke. Then after everyone brushes their teeth, we head to the living room to open our stockings and gifts. Finally we prepare and eat breakfast together. It’s a relatively relaxing morning, and it’s a time I really look forward to and cherish as a family.
This year, Avery was a little more aware of Santa. It was fun to watch her walk into the living room and see what Santa had left for her. I was hoping for a bigger reaction, but I don’t think she’ll fully get into the spirit of St. Nick until next year.
Before we knew that Great Aunt Ann and Great Uncle Ron were going to give Avery some craft supplies, we asked Santa to bring some as well. I guess we’ll need to find a bigger box to hold all of Avery’s markers, crayons, paints and activity books!
Santa knew that Avery needed her own special chair to watch TV and read books. This one fits her perfectly!
It’s easy for Santa to fill Daddy’s stocking. Include something sports-related (a St. Louis Cardinals World Series Champion tree ornament), lots of candy and some random fun items, and Daddy will be happy.
After the stockings, we opened our gifts from each other. Daddy chose many of Avery’s gifts this year, including this new IU sweatshirt. He said it was difficult to stop shopping for her. I don’t think he ever imagined that he’d enjoy spending money on a little girl so much!
Avery was excited to get this soccer goal set. The weather will be pretty warm this weekend, so maybe we can use these goals before spring.
This was probably the most important gift on Chris’ wish list. See how excited he is? Luckily I love the movie too. We made Aunt Karen watch it with us on New Year’s Eve, and she didn’t seem to mind it either.
I guess I’m finally an official Center Grove resident now!
Chris bought me this beautiful purse. Just like with the I Love Lucy purse, Avery didn’t waste any time trying to claim it as her own.
Here is the massive gift from Aunt Ann and Uncle Ron. What’s in that huge box? Just wait and see!
After opening our presents, we enjoyed our delicious traditional Christmas breakfast: scrambled eggs, bacon, blueberry muffins, juice and milk.
Around lunch time, Mommaw and Poppaw Clark arrived with a car filled with presents! Many of the presents were from the Japan Clarks.
Avery got some beautiful dresses and candy from Japan. I have a suspicion that Elvie likes to buy girl clothes. Avery will gladly be the beneficiary of Elvie’s shopping habit!
This is a fun cupcake set. Avery can use “icing” markers to decorate the tops of the cupcakes. And the candles are removable. She didn’t hesitate to decorate the cupcakes and start serving them to us.
Avery’s big gift from Mommaw and Poppaw was an easel. One side features a chalkboard and the other side is a magnetic dry erase board.
I’m extra grateful that Mommaw and Poppaw thought to include a plastic smock!
Now for the big reveal! Here is the special gift from Great Aunt Ann and Great Uncle Ron. It took Daddy and Poppaw just a few minutes to set up this adorable playhouse, which takes up a good portion of Chris’ toy section in the basement. But Avery fell in love with it immediately. The craft supplies can be used to draw on the outside of the house…or the inside, as Avery, Daddy and Aunt KK have already done.
The house has several windows and two doors. It fits two adults and Avery pretty comfortably. But those doors definitely aren’t made for an adult’s wide backside!
