Friday 12/24 -
Leah is super excited to see Grandpa Shorty. Amber, well, she is a different story. She gives Grandpa this look like, "I don't know you and I don't know why you are here." She looks at him frequently and lets him play with her, but she will not let him hold her!
We celebrated Christmas Eve with Joe's family (mom's side) at Uncle Lance and Aunt Fran's house. It was a large gathering with 22 people all together! It was a nice time. We saw some of Joe's cousins that we have not seen in years and that was fun. Leah had fun playing with her cousins. Amber and Leah both tore into their gifts- well, okay, Leah tore into her gifts! Amber did get into opening her presents, but she needed some help from mommy and Leah. Leah was very excited to get a Leapster from Grama Mary while Amber just enjoyed playing with her my first doll (and the bows)! Grama Mary, Aunt Fran, Aunt Karen, Aunt Pat, Cousin Chris and Cousin Tony were all very generous with gifts for the kids. Thanks to all! Leah quickly fell asleep on the way home, but little miss Amber decided to stay up until we were about 5 minutes from home - I think that is a record for her in the car without falling asleep especially at night- it was an hour drive!
Saturday 12/25
I got up early as we were going to be ambitious and go to 9am mass (this is not likely to happen again as the morning did get a little rushed)! While I was in the shower, Leah woke up...5:45 am! She was so excited that Santa came. I told her that we were going to wait until Daddy was up to open presents. She didn't argue which really did surprise me! As I got ready, Leah came in - completely dressed, she just wanted me to help with her zipper. Then, she requested that I braid her hair. She asked so nicely, that I couldn't resist. Finally, Daddy got up and we started to open presents. She was sooo excited to get her Barbie Guitar and her Unicorn Pillow Pet. Santa even brought her some silly bands, huge tootsie roll, gum balls, Ken clothes, an etch-a-sketch, and cars. Wow, was Santa nice to her.
When Amber woke up, Leah was very helpful with assisting her sister in opening her presents from Santa who brought her a little people fire truck and minivan.
After Church, we headed to my parents for the day where we were also joined by my brother and his family. The girls had a great time playing together, as they always do! We made ravioli which has become a fun Christmas tradition! I desperately tried to get a nice picture of Leah and Amber together, but, unfortunately, Amber is at an age where staying still is not an option. I have to admit, I got a little frustrated until I realized that that was also part of the memory of this Christmas - my little mover! Leah looked so grown up this year all dressed up with her hair back. She is growing up. Of course, there were tons of presents-- yes, mom, I think we need an addition to the house!;) I love that they get spoiled from their grandparents (both sides) because that means mommy and daddy don't have too! From my parents; Leah got ice skates, some games for her leapster and her click start, clothes, a scrapbook (yep, we are going to get her started on this hobby), art supplies, and some accessories for her American Girl Doll (Lorraine). Amber got clothes, some cars (which she loves), a lullaby pet, and a bitty baby. Auntie Vicky got Leah a Barbie Glam pool, Toy Story 3 for her Leapster, Cheerleader barbie clothes and a new Barbie while Amber got a baby kitchen. Dan and Tiff got Leah a raincoat and a darling sweatsuit, while Amber got an activity cube! Great gifts that I am sure they will most definitely treasure! Of course, I hope that they will also treasure the memories of these days spent with family! Both girls were fast asleep on the 15 minute trip home from Nonna and Grandpa's house!Oh, and if you look at the upper right of the collage, that is why we did NOT put up a full size Christmas tree this year!
Sunday 12/26:
We went out to get Leah's new skates sharpened. Then Amber, Joe, Grandpa Shorty, Nonna, and Grandpa Jim all watched Leah and I as we went to open skating at the Super Rink. We really had a fun time and are going to try to do this more often!
We spent time cleaning out toys to make room for new toys - this is a huge PROJECT. I was amazed that Leah did not get upset about it, and even help sort toys into keep and give away piles. She understood that her toys would go to some child who did not have as much as she did, but she did want to make sure that the child new that the toys were from Leah!:)
Amber still will not let Grandpa Shorty hold her, but she did let us get this cute picture! Amber does take some time to warm up to new people, particularly men. Leah was the same way at this age.
Monday 12/27 - Grandpa Shorty leaves for home. Leah is on vacation, but Mommy goes back to reality, but it is another short week!
