2014 might well be our last year to sleep in on Christmas Day for quite a while. (Last year’s photos are here.) Madeline had been asking to open the gifts under the tree, but she doesn’t yet understand the concept of Christmas Day. This year’s holiday was all about introducing her to the tree, to decorating it with ornaments, to seeing the Nutcracker (a kids version put on by the Rock School), wrapping presents, and now opening them.
With a little help getting started, she’s gotten the hang of ripping off wrapping paper. First came a Hess truck with a space cruiser and a little baby scout ship. The space cruiser emits sound effects upon swerving or diving, making it a big hit with Daddy (and baby).
- Madeline looks like a pirate when she says cheese
Next, we have a family of Calico Critters, the Woodbrook Beaver Family.
- Henry investigates
- She looks like she's going to eat her critter...
- ...but she actually is giving it a kiss.
Then some snow mittens, a detour to the trash (“srash”), and Brio trains!
- Clothes. Practical (Daddy says boring) Christmas gifts you will receive the rest of your life.
- Off to put wrapping paper in the trash. "Srash? Srash?"
- M loves to put things in the trash.
- Old school Brio!!!
- The Brio love starts early.
And in the biggest box was a Safari Express train set, a perfect finale to Madeline’s Christmas morning.
- that snotty nose couldn't be happier
Madeline had a present for Daddy, but she was somewhat reluctant to give it.
- rufflebutt demands an inspection of the box contents
- rufflebutt goes to read her new books instead
What’s a holiday without coloring on your face?
Some shots with the afternoon sunlight.
- afternoon sun
- cardinal in the window
- the stockings, and a rainbow!
- an ornament mommy made for daddy out of materials from our wedding
- last year's photos decorate this year's tree
Christmas dinner.
- Christmas goose
- the parsley sort of makes it look less creepy -- daddy laughed at mommy for even trying
Some evening shots of the tree.
- how the tree looks from M's point of view
Madeline ended her Christmas day by laying her head in Mommy’s lap and falling asleep on the hard wood floor. Mommy was unable to move for the next half hour.