The 'Elf on the Shelf' returned...only there are really two of them. One is a girl named Crystal Snowflake and the other a boy named Harry George. Harry George has been with us the longest. Crystal Snowflake arrived last year. Harry has a bandaged arm. Seems he was found one morning in Hayden's bedroom and the cats toppled him from the shelf injuring his arm.
This is the year that marked the beginning of change for belief in Santa from the Mini's. Bailey is still fully engaged in the entire Santa visit, tracking him on the cell phone on Christmas Eve, cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer, etc. Hayden is beginning to realize it is a pretend kind of thing and he didn't bake cookies or search for where Crystal Snowflake and Harry George might be located each morning. The awakening is happening for him.
Jake brought chocolate covered cherries to help with puzzle making. Hayden was sure they were just for him. The kid does not care to eat real food. Textures and flavors are very strong for him and he just can't eat lots of good things. But there seems to always be a spot for anything with sugar. He does have a Papa gene in him that is strong.
I had a box of Little Debbie brownies. I put them in on the kitchen island to see if anyone wanted to have some. Hayden and Bailey were sure they should eat them all. Michael had enough of rationing so he felt the best way for them to learn the lesson of why parents ration sugar was to have them eat them all and then feel the effects. They sat on the love seat in the living room and ate the entire box. Hyper-active Bailey had no reaction except to bounce around more. Hayden clearly wanted nothing of any kind to eat for some time after. Thus goeth the lesson.
Bailey made and decorated this lovely tray of cookies for Santa. Jake did decorate one of them. You can tell our girl is growing up because there are clear arrangements on top of each cookie instead of all that each cookies could hold of whatever was available. I didn't get pictures of the setting of things out for Santa. Andie got those pictures. However, I was informed that our little darling flung those tiny carrots for the reindeer all over the front yard and managed to pummel the baby Jesus in the Nativity. Not deliberately, mind you. But pummel she did.
I put up this little tree in the basement and Hayden and Bailey decorate it each year. This year Bailey is considerably taller than the little tree.
Our Christmas eve evening was spent relaxing. At one point I peeked around from the kitchen and found Templeton resting on Jake's head.
After a huge smoked brisket dinner, we had a great time playing this game (can't remember the name of it) and Apples to Apples. When we finished family games the puzzle came out and the ball games came on.
I took Papa home Christmas Eve before dinner. He has a bad hip and it was giving him fits. He just wanted to be home in his chair. He would not come out on Christmas day so that his hip could heal while sitting in his chair.
Christmas morning found every one getting ready for me to take the family picture on the stairs. First, since I am never in the picture because I am the photographer and I don't own a selfie stick, I had Andie take one of the Mini's and me and Claude. Bailey has developed a new smile for the camera that she is very proud of. Alas, we can take hope in 'this too shall pass...eventually'!
Here is the family picture. Front row: Andie and Michael. Next row: Hayden and Bailey. Top row: Claude and Jacob. Then it was up the stairs for the opening of stockings and presents.
Michael had an app on his phone. He was able to set the television to play quiet Christmas music and display a fire for us to enjoy while opening presents. (Andie, Hayden & Bailey) This year I finally turned over the handing out of presents to the Mini's. It was cute to watch and listen to Andie and Michael trying to train them to give so everyone opens and they do it one and a time so everyone can see what was received.
Nissa sent her brother a light saber pancake flapper. Jake was pleased!
Bailey got a DS. Hayden already has one. They spent a great deal of time helping Bailey learn the ropes and then playing a game against each other on their respective DS's. What an age we live in!!
Since Papa couldn't come to Sadieville, the Mini's and I took Christmas to him. Claude and I gave him a star for his wall. He is fascinated with them on homes as we take our long drives in the country. He is sure they have some religious significance. I had searched the internet and read to him and tried to get him to understand they just started with the Amish and mean welcome, friendship, etc. Claude and I found one in Berea and purchased it for his home. He was very happy. The fun part really was the bubble wrap. I covered it in layers of bubble wrap so it wouldn't bend in the box. As soon as that wrap was out, Papa was like a kid in a candy store. He started popping bubbles one by one. Bailey heard the sound and was right there helping him along. She did handfuls at a time. I have the sweetest video of Papa laughing while they popped the bubble wrap together. That will be a treasure of a video clip.
Papa doesn't buy gifts at this point. However, he feels concern that he doesn't. I assured him the adults need nothing but he might enjoy giving the Mini's something and watching them open it. I purchased two little gifts they might enjoy for him and showed them to him. He approved so I wrapped them from him to them. We took them to Papa's apartment on Christmas day and they opened them in front of him. Look at the smile on his face. Worth a million dollars. They were so excited and raved about these two little gifts, then gave him lots of hugs and kisses. Could have been the best part of Christmas day for me.
Hayden is trying to explain how the DS works for Papa.
I tried to bring a little Christmas into Papa's apartment again this year. I bought him a poinsettia and put it on one stand. Then I put out a Christmas tree Mimi made and a Wabbit Santa Claus they owned. Papa enjoyed these treasure because each was meaningful. He loves and truly enjoys flowers around. Our family nickname as a child was Wabbits (Pa Wabbit, Ma Wabbit and the 3 little Wabbits). The tree was a part of Mimi's handwork and he could feel her close with it being there.
Bailey wrote Santa a special letter Christmas Eve. Not just a note but a letter with a request. Andie had that 'deer in the headlights' look. She had carefully watched what they wanted and this was something in a letter she had not seen and wasn't sure what to do about. After Bailey was in bed, Andie carefully opened the letter and learned Bailey wanted a silver bell from Santa. Yike!! I was taking Papa home and received a phone call from Claude just as I got in my car to come home. "Did I have any silver bells?" I did have a little stash of bells and told him where to find them in the Danish cookie tin inside the heart box from the first Valentine candy he ever gave me. There were only gold ones but that would do. Andie was able to craft this special response from Santa for our girl and include a gold bell. Whew!! Bailey was very happy Christmas day to find this letter.
This is our Christmas puzzle. It was finished before everyone left. There was one piece missing. Jake found in under the dining room table and it matched the carpet and was not showing up. Yippee!!
I am learning to do Tunisian crochet. This was my first project and was way to small for my neck. Bailey totally enjoyed it and wore it around the entire time. Don't you love the drama of her pose for this picture. What a girl!!
Then it was time on Monday for everyone to return to their homes. One last picture of the Mini's with their Uncle Jake. (Hayden, Jake, Bailey) I love this picture!
While Nissa and family were not here, I loved getting a picture on Christmas day of Nissa and Todd's kids and grandkids all together. Even though they all live close, that doesn't happen very often. (Back row: Mitchell, Tate, Carlie, Drew, Paul. Front row: Derek, Aubrey, Raelyn, Katelyn.)
It was a good Christmas. Good times!
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