Christmas Morn

I'm convinced that since becoming a parent Christmas morning is even more fun than it was when I was a kid. I LOVE anticipating the kid's faces when they see their goodies. Here's our Christmas living room the night before:

Santa had come and filled the stockings and dropped off one small gift for each kid. We decided a long time ago to sack Santa getting to give the awesome gifts. It's time for mom and dad to get a little credit! If we're being real then Santa needed to just give little wooden trinkets. We all know that electronics and big gifts are made in China, not the North Pole.
Anyway, after meeting in Cade and Grant's room for the reading of the birth of Jesus the boys headed down to see what was wrapped in those boxes that they couldn't figure out. I was sneaky this year!
Each boy got a large gift and one small one. I tricked them by writing a note and wrapping it up in a box. Rhett's read, "Look outside!"
Little Buddy was thrilled to see that mom and dad had come through and got him a basketball goal to go along with the basketball that Santa dropped off!
I must point out that Santa brought Grant the ONE thing that he had asked him for: toe shoes. What second grader asks for toe shoes?? I now cannot look at him without thinking of Frodo Baggins.
His card said, "Look in the playroom!"
That's where they found a new pastime, air hockey.
All three of them were pretty excited!
Cade's note read, "Look in mom and dad's room".
Where, much to my dismay and nauseous stomach, he found a for real 20g shot gun. This gives a whole new meaning to, "you'll shoot your eye out!". Dear Lord help us. No, seriously, Lord help us.
This was a gift that wasn't on Cade's wish list radar. I'm pretty sure we're fulfilling a dream of Bobby's with the purchase of this gun. Nothing says "I love you" more than a pile of dead ducks shot side by side with your dad.
Since Sleeping Beauty was sleeping way longer than the boys could stand, we decided to move on without her and then let her come down whenever she woke up. I've learned my lesson on waking babies up before they're ready. It's never fun. So, down she came about 45 minutes later.
She was a little apprehensive, what, with all of us staring at her and smiling so early in the morning.
She was unimpressed by the stack of books that Santa brought her which surprised me because the newest Llama Llama Red Pajama book was in there. She went straight for the kitchen that was her main surprise from Bobby and me.

Then she started in on her second present.

Some food for her kitchen!

She sifted through all of the fake veggies and went straight for the french fry. I don't know how many times it's going to take before she realizes that it's not real and she shouldn't eat it.
The boys rounded out their gift opening with baseball and football cards which are always a hit in this household. Bobby and I exchanged boots with one another and then I came across this in my stocking:
I cracked up that he used my first name but then I was thankful that he put his last one on there. With so many Cades here in the Hill it was going to take some serious investigating to figure out which one could have possibly written that note and put it in my stocking! Grant and Rhett had made several cute things for me for Christmas at school. I guess once you hit the 4th grade the teacher pats your kid on the back and says, "You're on your own for winter holiday gifts this year, buddy" so they're forced to write a quick note on Christmas Eve. I'll take it though. There will be a time soon enough that I'd be more than happy just to get a small piece of love from my boy. I hope your Christmas was as rewarding as ours! Happy Birthday, Jesus!