Christmas is finally here!

 On Christmas Eve, Jacob insisted that we not turn on his sound machine because he wanted to listen for Santa.

"Liam said he's heard him before!"

Infact, Liam had told me as much earlier this week. I feel lucky we live in a house where we all still believe.

So, Christmas morning was here at last! 

The children actually waited until 7am to thunder downstairs. They had been bribed with their tablets and non-negotiable terms laid out the previous evening. And they cooperated!

The wonder, the joy, it was all real. The room was still dim and only the tree illuminated the piles of gifts. We traditionally keep all of the gifts hidden for fear of anxious early openers. It was dramatic, the shift from open floor to a room swollen with gifts! 

Jacob learned that you don't get everything that you ask for. Which was a good lesson. He was asking for a truck, wondering where in the boxes it was hidden? I don't think he was upset, just floored that he'd written down Megalodon Monster Truck yet there did not appear to be one! He was very happy nonetheless and if he keeps asking, I think I know where I can find a slightly banged up one that won't get returned to Target.

Dylan was a bit stressed about how he was supposed to know which packages were his and how he'd keep track of them. We made a great big heap on the sofa and he was comforted.

Liam was so well-behaved. It was a Godzilla Christmas and he was thrilled with his haul. He was also very mature about the unwrapping of socks and masks (the new "socks") which impressed us. 

The Littles were immediately negotiating what would be shared and which they'd just grab away from their brother. I could tell some gifts were not as impressive as I'd hoped. Other gifts wow'd and I knew all of the stress of preparing Christmas was worth it. I say this now because this night is the furthest from next Christmas, and all of the anxiety and effort, that I can get.

Here's a flavor of our Christmas 2020. We all said it was the best one EVER! I'm quoting small children but I also agree.