When the boys woke, they went into my parents room and Lee and I didn't even know they were awake! They didn't want to come in our room and wake Olive, which I guess worked out because Olive didn't sleep well and probably needed the sleep. And I think my parents really enjoyed the sweet moments with them before anyone else woke. I eventually heard them around 7:30 and when they didn't come in to us, I went to find them. They hung these little mini stockings in their room all month long and wanted them to be filled and even remembered to bring them to my parents for Christmas Eve! So, I filled them. They woke and brought them into my parents room and were looking at what they got when I found them. They were so excited and sweet and couldn't wait to go downstairs. Olive was still asleep, so we let her sleep a little bit longer before eventually waking her.
I forgot to take a stairs picture, I took a video and just totally forgot. Whoops. This is the best I got from Sarah and from a screenshot of the video.
Olive was VERY excited to see the doll stroller in particular. For not getting as much sleep as normal and then no nap later in the day, she did really well all day long.
Luca read from Luke 2 this year and did so well! I was so pleased that he happily agreed to read in front of everyone, I have seen such growth in him and his confidence levels this year. After he read, he also prayed thanking God for sending Jesus and over our day. I love love love hearing kids pray. I love hearing how they think about God, how they believe in Him, what they think to say, etc. It always builds up my faith.
After he read and prayed we opened stockings.
Normally, I like to get a picture of them with their stockings in front of the tree before they open them, but I forgot. I remembered after they had opened their stockings, haha. So here they are with empty stockings. Except for Jack's, because he refilled his with all the gifts he opened.
Olive made my dad so happy because she LOVED throwing away the wrapping paper. She would unwrap, and then immediately go bring the trash to my dad. She took the clean up very seriously, and I know it made my dad so proud.
Olive held onto that one candy from her stocking for the entire morning. It got real gross by the end of gift opening. You can see the chocolate on the corner of her lip in all these pictures from the one she got to share with me. She even offered her candy to her new baby!
I really loved watching Olive open gifts. I wasn't sure if she would be into it or get over stimulated by it- but she loved it. She opened well, wanted each toy opened from the packaging immediately, and then kept asking for "mo!" (more). She also seemed to love every single thing she opened, which made it extra fun. I always love watching the boys open gifts because they receive so excitedly.
Her first real Barbie! I was beside myself excited for her and for me! I loved playing barbies when I was little, it was hands down my favorite toy to play with. I mostly enjoyed changing their clothes for the various activities they would do.
And her first Ken! We only had one Ken growing up, so we all had to share. When it wasn't our turn with Ken, we pretended our husbands were in the military overseas.
Luca looks so grown to me lately. Watching him Christmas morning just solidified that too. He opened so graciously and with genuine joy and excitement and patience when it wasn't his turn. He loved watching others open, his brother and Olive especially. Goodness he's a gift.
Jack opening gifts is just sheer joy. He loves everything and is so easy to please, so each gift is like the best thing he's ever seen. And it's 100% genuine. He's so fun and I could just eat him right up!
Luca got a pack of 100 posters that he can use to create on. He was very excited. And his own rolls of tape that he could keep in his room!
This gift idea from Sarah is so deeply thoughtful and so clever! I loved it so much and can't wait to read through it and journal thoughts on what we read. It must've taken her so long to read through and do this!
We took a break from opening to eat breakfast.
Nana and Auntie gave Olive kisses and honestly, I'm not sure who loved it more!
Olive loves to wear Lee's hats.
Oh! Another new hat? I'm gonna need that one too, dad. K thanks.
And she succeeded. Of course she did.
My mom's opening packaging face again, lol.
Momma got some new shoes!
That Olive obviously had to try on too, my shoe loving girl.
The coolest costumes.
Just crossing her legs, copying Auntie, having some deep conversations about life I'm sure. Or about shoes.
After we finished opening gifts, we leisurely made a low key lunch and ate together. After dessert, we packed up and headed home.
Luca's face peeping through.
My pretty new Christmas decor.
It was a really great day, I am so grateful.
