A Delightful Day

Emma and Alex have been practicing "not smiling" for pictures so this is what I got . . . then they burst into giggles after the camera clicked. Ethan was trying to join them with his own serious expression.

They had a great time tearing open the packages and we all received many nice and thoughtful gifts.

Ethan was very excited to receive a Nintendo DS from Santa Claus (now he can continue saving his hard-earned allowance). Santa gave Alex and Emma their own handheld games (Leapsters) so they can play alongside their big brother. Here they are on Christmas night (in the new pjs--a present from Grandma):

Here they are the next morning, snuggled up in mom and dad's bed:

As cozy as this looks, the quiet concentration soon turned into "don't touch me," "you're in my spot," "Mommy!!!" etc.

In lieu of going outside in the cold weather the kids chased Audi around the house to get the wiggles out. She (the dog) loves to do laps around the kitchen/family room--the kids chase her and then she gets smart and starts chasing them. It's a pretty loud scene--lots of screaming and giggling but thank goodness, not much barking!

We also played card games and board games, read books, the kids battled with light sabres and did artwork with markers, crayons, stamps and stickers. Oh yeah, we also built a gingerbread house and two workshops for Santa (the sticker and glitter kind, not the cookies and frosting kind). Boy, am I tired!

My mom was with us for a few days and we all enjoyed having her here. Emma had great fun playing Trouble with her and sitting on her lap. They all beeped the horn on her wheelchair every chance they got!