So excited, in fact, that I felt like a little kid anticipating Christmas morning! I didn't sleep very well last night. I woke up every two hours hoping it was time to get up! Finally at 6:30 I was awake for good. The only problem?..No one else was awake! Mike, Gracie, and Jacob were all sound asleep! I snuggled in with Tootsie for awhile, until I couldn't stand the anticipation anymore. I managed to wake Mike up and explained my plan:
I really wanted Gracie to be the first one awake and see the christmas tree with all the presents piled under it. We don't put any presents under the tree until "Santa comes" on Christmas Eve. So, on Christmas morning it's quite a shock to Gracie! Well, Gracie wasn't cooperating - of course the ONE morning I WANT her to wake up early, she doesn't! Any other morning she's standing two inches from my face, using her Jedi mind powers to wake me up with her stare, WAY before I am ready to get out of bed. Not today!
Finally Jacob woke up at 7:15, but like a perfect little boy (again, he never does this when I want to sleep in), he lays in bed and QUIETLY talks to himself. Since Gracie and Jacob share a room I thought for sure he would wake her up any minute. Nope. Thirty more minutes pass, and still more snoring from Gracie!
Mike and I finally devised a plan. I crawled out of bed and tiptoed into the kitchen to start the coffee and "turn on" the fireplace. Then I snuck into the kids' bedroom to let Jacob see me, which I new would make him cry if I didn't pick him up right away! Then I ran back to my bedroom and jumped into bed to pretend I was asleep! Nope. Jacob just continued to talk to himself. What the heck??
I crawled out of bed again and stood at the door to the kids' room and threw pillows, aiming for Gracie's head. On the fourth try I nailed her! She opened her eyes and before she could see me I dashed to my bedroom and jumped back in bed! YES!! It worked! I couldn't help laughing hysterically (as quietly as I could) at Gracie's face when I hit her in the head with a pillow! Can you imagine being so peacefully asleep you don't even remember it's Christmas!...Then being ripped out of your sound sleep so rudely? Gracie woke up and started to tell Jacob "It's Christmas morning Jakie!" She ran into the living room and saw all the presents under the tree, just like I wanted! She ran back to tell Jacob about all the presents and that Santa came! Then she came to wake up Mike and I! Man...that was hard work! And how funny, Gracie never said anything about how she was woken up!
Anyway, we had a great time watching the kids open their presents. Jacob actually opened all his own gifts without much help!
We played for awhile and then went to Mike's parents' house down the street. His mom made THE BOMB breakfast. As tradition mandates, she made bagels with cream cheese and onions, with cured salmon! She "cooks" the salmon in vodka and dill for a few days - so it's still kind of raw, but oh so delicious! Mike's younger brother, Chris, and his girlfriend Linda, where here from Missouri, and I had a really nice time visiting with them! Mike's parents usually go way overboard in the present department, but this year was perfect! They only gave two presents to Mike and I, and they were very practical, which was nice. It was lovely!
We came home after opening presents there to enjoy the beautiful storm from our warm, cozy living room.
Now, we are home after having dinner at my parent's house. My Dad read the story about Jesus' birth right before dinner, and it was nice to slow down and acknowledge the real reason we celebrate.
I am listening to Gracie and Jacob enjoy their new toys....a perfect way to end the most wonderful Christmas! Happy Birthday Jesus.
