What a magical night! What a magical morning!! Elyssa, Isabelle, Dusty, and Sam were all goosy with excitement before bed! They had on their jammies and I read them The Grinch (we couldn't locate The Night Before Christmas) in the big creaky rocking chair next to the Christmas tree. Dusty, my four year old, was perhaps the one coming unglued the most with anticipation, the little guy could hardly sit still! I cherished every moment! We set out cookies and milk and by 9:00, they were in their beds (well...they all crammed into one bedroom to sleep on the floor together, which was so cute!) Sam being only 17 months slept in his crib.
They actually slept in longer than I had expected, until 7 am! Then I heard the thundering down the hallway and down the stairs..wait a few moments...then thundering back up the stairs and down the hallway to our room, where I was met with exclamations of "Santa came!!! Santa came!!!"
They actually slept in longer than I had expected, until 7 am! Then I heard the thundering down the hallway and down the stairs..wait a few moments...then thundering back up the stairs and down the hallway to our room, where I was met with exclamations of "Santa came!!! Santa came!!!"
So, downstairs we went, Darin armed with his camera...and sure enough, Santa had come! The stockings were filled with pears and oranges and chocolate coins and all sorts of wonderful treasures (whoopee cushions, wooden pop guns, gum, oh the joy!). After the stockings were properly gone through, they dashed for the tree!
Isabelle, my little darling, has been hoping and wishing and praying for a new doll, and not just any doll, an American Girl doll! She not only wrote Santa a letter, she personally asked him face to face for it. So, her hopes were high as she opened her first two gifts...a cowboy hat and a pair of cowgirl boots. She was very much excited to get these, but...it wasn't a doll. Meanwhile, Dusty was delighted with his train bank and Lincoln Logs, Sammy was tinkering with his new toy trucks and wooden blocks, and Elyssa was modeling her new furry coat and purse. There was no doll.
After everything was unwrapped and faces were smiling (even Isabelle was smiling but..you could tell it was guarded..poor thing...she didn't get her doll). Just then, Elyssa noticed a package hiding next to the couch (Yes I know, classic "Christmas Story" move)! Could it be?? Elyssa read the tag...."To Isabelle".....
It was a long box! Shaped like...maybe......a doll? She ripped open the paper and Elyssa helped her open the unmarked brown box....and lo and behold!!! Yes!!! It was exactly what she wanted!!
Her eyes were huge, and life was good!
She has not put down her doll all day, nor taken off her cowgirl hat, nor her boots. Dusty has busted into his can of Lincoln Logs and Fiddlestix and played with his train bank for endless hours. Elyssa has dipped into her make-up and perfume, and Sam has.......played with the boxes *warm smile*.
Darin received new boxers and two new shirts, and I got 2 movies (Honeysuckle Rose and Cross Creek, both 80's flicks) and found a Countryside magazine in my stocking.
I've baked cookies and pies and made deviled eggs and beans and corn casserole and the in-laws came over this afternoon and oh my have we feasted!
A very simple Christmas, yet magical and filling!
Isabelle hugged her doll and looked at me and sighed "I love this day."
