Our Very First Christmas

So it has been a long time. Let's just say a lot has been going on and my computer is dying the slowest death ever. It moves at the pace of dial-up internet or slower. It is nothing short of painful. 

On a brighter note we had our very first Christmas at our very own home. I was a little hesitant because I have never been away from my family for Christmas, but Rich only got Christmas day off so we really didn't have any other option. To start off the holidays we put up our decorations on Thanksgiving and had Henley open up some new Christmas jammies. She liked them okay, but preferred her old princess ones.

 

This year, the elf on the shelf was a huge deal in our house. Our elf is name Twinkles and Henley was obsessed. She understood the rules of not touching him, but was mostly concerned with where he was every morning. The funniest part about Twinkles is he brought her one single kernel of popcorn every day for her good behavior and she was pleased as punch with it. Not too hard to please.

My parents and little sister Niccole came to visit us in the middle of December, which deserves a post of its own but I'm behind. It made the holidays much more special with them being here for a few days.

 We went to a breakfast with Santa at our local conservatory. Henley really likes to talk about Santa and tell him all the things she wants, which this year was strictly candy. Nothing else, just candy. Should I be worried? When the time came to sit on his lap, she didn't cry, she didn't scream...she did nothing. She completely froze.

 ^^Her and Cosy at the breakfast. She was in a really big phase of screaming "Chhhheeeeessssse" for pictures.^^

For Christmas Eve I debated whether I should make a big, gourmet meal or not. I probably talked about it until I was blue in the face and Richard could no longer hear me talk about it. That's when he suggested we start a new tradition and get take out of our choice. I really liked the idea and went with it. Less work for me. Rich got Taco Bell and I got McDonald's. Next year I think I will go a little bigger and get Red Robin or something. 

 ^^Our Christmas Eve feast. We obviously only eat and dress in the classiest of attire for special occasions.^^

After dinner we did some puzzles and talked about the nativity. Henley just wanted to have the figures jumping and screaming the whole time. However we count it as a success since we at least attempted it.

 Putting out cookies for Santa was her favorite part. She kept talking about he was going to eat them and take Twinkles away. She also said over and over "1 day, 1 day, 1 day for presents."

The next day we woke up around 7:30 and tried to open a few presents. Henley was wayyy too distracted with the fact that Santa had come, left a bite of cookie and drank all the milk. All day she kept running back over to the plate saying "Santa came - yummy cookie." Once we could get her attention we opened a few gifts. Santa brought Henley a kitchen, which she seemed to like okay. She hardly played with it that day, but has liked it more and more with time. I somehow didn't capture a picture of her with her favorite toy, which was and still is a tiny plastic Cinderella that has a couple of dresses that snap on and off.  I got it for free at Kohl's and threw it in her stocking the last second...of course. Thank heavens cause she has played with that nonstop since Christmas.

 ^^My parents stocked her kitchen full. So much food and so many messes.^^

 ^^Crashing after too many gifts.^^

 ^^This little cash register has also been a big hit. The beeping from the scanner is enough to make you go crazy, but she absolutely loves it.^^

As the day was winding down we both tried on our new clothes and she asked Rich to "Ake a pic-cha pease!!" All in all, it was a fabulous day. Henley really picked up on the concept this year and loved every light, decoration and song. We are still singing Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls and talking about some of our tree ornaments. Until next year...