Christmas Day

Christmas was a little different this year but a lot the same. We stuck with our traditions, added a few new ones and had the extra bonus of being able to celebrate with the other Las Vegas Francis family. Zack was throwing up on Christmas Eve. Huge bummer. On the plus side, we watched lots of our favorite Christmas cartoons and just took it easy.  David & Emily took a huge risk and let us in their home for dinner even though we had sickness. We had plans to do more, but it was great just to spend part of Christmas Eve with some of our favorite people.

I had planned to bake cookies with Zack but since he was sick there was no baking and as a result no cookies for Santa. Oops. We totally forgot about it until I was tucking the kids in bed and Ben remembered. Luckily, I had 1/2 a cookie from a shopping trip the day before so we set that out for him. It wasn't homemade, but it was from Max Brenner so it was blessed by a Rabbi. I am sure Santa loved it.

This isn't our typical Christmas tree. Our usual tree is wide and wouldn't fit anywhere in this place. Luckily, I picked up this little gem last year for $8. My intention was to use it as a kid's tree but it served just fine as the main attraction.  And it fit just right at the bottom of the stairs and shared the space with several scorpions who like the tree are not alive (anymore).

We don't let the boys get up before 6:00.  They slept until 6:30 and Zack was feeling all better.

In school, the first graders learned about holiday celebrations in different countries. He learned that in Argentina the kids hang a paper chain from the door so that Santa will bring them an extra present. When he saw this chain wrapped extra present from Santa, he said, "I can't believe that worked!"

The "Santa's watching" reminder isn't quite as effective as it used to be, at least for the two older boys.  Zack, on the other hand, was pulling out all the be good stops. He became my little cleaning machine. All his extra willingness to help ended at about 10:00 am on December 25th though.  His older brothers owe him because I think his extra nice sort of balanced out their naughty. 

Noah has the best reactions. This airplane was just what he didn't know he wanted. It only took about an hour for him to fly it onto a neighbor's house. Thankfully we got it down, but it's now on park only flight restrictions. 

Ben had to know he didn't get an iPad, but I think he still had hopes. Good thing one of his top requests was inside. 

Zack haa a three year "biggest present" streak going. This one was a Glow Dome, from Ben. Noah took me aside to tell me that he thought it was mean of us to wrap something small in a big box. But we really needed this size box.

This is Matt pretending he is happy he got a calendar. It's a really cool calendar, but it wasn't exactly what he was hoping for.

This is Matt pretending he likes getting a tie for Christmas.

This is Matt pretending he likes getting two ties for Christmas.

This is Matt pretending he likes getting clothes for Christmas. They are Utah Jazz shorts, but still, he firmly believes that clothes are THE WORST Christmas presents.

And that was it. No more presents. Matt left the room contemplating how he could get so ripped off on Christmas. He won't admit it, but I know he was thinking I am lame. Until....

What's that? The Bugera tube amp you wouldn't stop talking about & desperately needed...

... the perfect amp for the dream guitar David gave him the night before. And just like that, I was the best wife ever. I have to say I am pretty proud of myself.  What a great Christmas!