...and I caught Noah trying to eat him. I tried to capture this as I stealthily removed the lens cap and powered up the camera, but no such luck. The child, who I constantly worry about being able to hear, jerked his head around in response to the soft swish of the flash popping up. Once I was discovered, it was all over. He sees a camera; he begins to pose.
This was the morning of Christmas Eve-Eve, so we had plenty of time to get the Nativity back in order. But there was still much to do. Agnes and Andrew got to work making the cookies for Santa. I hope Santa is up to date on his shots, because Andrew's method of coating the cookies in sprinkles involved dipping the dough in the sprinkles, licking it off, and then dipping it again. I have to admit, the saliva really got the sprinkles to stick. You can see how he got really efficient at this and began using two hands for maximum cookie output.
Due to the plunging mercury and persistent nagging of Andrew, we made the first fire of the season to help us get into the mood to wrap presents. I'm quite proud of myself since I started this fire without the assistance of a presto log while fighting the urge to strangle a three year old draped over my back, constantly mocking me with his steady stream of, "why is it taking soooo long?"
I have no idea what the leash is for. That evening and the next morning were filled with the excitement of the upcoming Christmas festivities. Also, there was a mad dash by Andrew to show just how much he loved all of his existing toys since Agnes decreed that any toy we don't play with anymore is going to Goodwill to make way for the influx of new toys. I knew we were in trouble when Andrew started giving me the hard sell on a piece of plastic that I'm pretty sure broke off from an old coat hanger. The plastic, along with some other items were disposed of to the rhythmic wails of "BUT IT'S MY FAAAAAAVORITE". Although Noah didn't really have any skin in the game, he felt the pain of his brother's agony.
The first engagement of the day was Agnes's parents. A bunch of her cousins are in town, so her mom has been cooking all month in preparation. Since this was mainly a food visit, Andrew began asking when we were going to Nana's about 5 minutes in. We were able to satiate him with some soup to buy us some more time.
This was the morning of Christmas Eve-Eve, so we had plenty of time to get the Nativity back in order. But there was still much to do. Agnes and Andrew got to work making the cookies for Santa. I hope Santa is up to date on his shots, because Andrew's method of coating the cookies in sprinkles involved dipping the dough in the sprinkles, licking it off, and then dipping it again. I have to admit, the saliva really got the sprinkles to stick. You can see how he got really efficient at this and began using two hands for maximum cookie output.
Due to the plunging mercury and persistent nagging of Andrew, we made the first fire of the season to help us get into the mood to wrap presents. I'm quite proud of myself since I started this fire without the assistance of a presto log while fighting the urge to strangle a three year old draped over my back, constantly mocking me with his steady stream of, "why is it taking soooo long?"
I have no idea what the leash is for. That evening and the next morning were filled with the excitement of the upcoming Christmas festivities. Also, there was a mad dash by Andrew to show just how much he loved all of his existing toys since Agnes decreed that any toy we don't play with anymore is going to Goodwill to make way for the influx of new toys. I knew we were in trouble when Andrew started giving me the hard sell on a piece of plastic that I'm pretty sure broke off from an old coat hanger. The plastic, along with some other items were disposed of to the rhythmic wails of "BUT IT'S MY FAAAAAAVORITE". Although Noah didn't really have any skin in the game, he felt the pain of his brother's agony.
The first engagement of the day was Agnes's parents. A bunch of her cousins are in town, so her mom has been cooking all month in preparation. Since this was mainly a food visit, Andrew began asking when we were going to Nana's about 5 minutes in. We were able to satiate him with some soup to buy us some more time.
After spending a couple of hours eating amazing food and reconnecting with distant family, Andrew got his wish, and we headed towards Nana's house. As soon as we walked through the door Brooks, Brady and Andrew were off, feeding on one another's unbridled excitement.
Finally, after the grueling torture of waiting for adults to finish eating, the kids got the green light to move the presents out to the sun room. It was impressive how quickly they worked.
Oh look, I found a fellow photographer. I had to delete several pictures where our flashes crossed paths, but to be fair, Carrie did have her camera first.
We tried to capture a picture of all the children wearing their Christmas jammies in front of the fire place. In theory it was an awesome, maybe overly sentimental, idea. In practice, it disintegrated into Noah crying, Ellie Kate and Brady finding something better to do, and Andrew affectionately stroking Greg's reflection in the fire place doors.
This was the best one I could get, I may have to photoshop in a happier Noah.
Finally, after the grueling torture of waiting for adults to finish eating, the kids got the green light to move the presents out to the sun room. It was impressive how quickly they worked.
Oh look, I found a fellow photographer. I had to delete several pictures where our flashes crossed paths, but to be fair, Carrie did have her camera first.
We tried to capture a picture of all the children wearing their Christmas jammies in front of the fire place. In theory it was an awesome, maybe overly sentimental, idea. In practice, it disintegrated into Noah crying, Ellie Kate and Brady finding something better to do, and Andrew affectionately stroking Greg's reflection in the fire place doors.
This was the best one I could get, I may have to photoshop in a happier Noah.
...
SANTA CAME!!!
The last gift was actually from Nana, to Noah. But Santa helped me put it together Christmas eve. After church, we all gathered at Agnes's parents again for more food and presents. We knew for a fact that Bacia and Jadek had gotten Andrew a soccer goal for Christmas. Jadek, however, did such a good job of hiding it, he had trouble finding where he had put it. In the end, it was located and put to good use.
Despite Noah's best efforts, baby Jesus has been returned to his rightful place in the manger. Reminding us of the greatest gift this season... Merry Christmas.
SANTA CAME!!!
The last gift was actually from Nana, to Noah. But Santa helped me put it together Christmas eve. After church, we all gathered at Agnes's parents again for more food and presents. We knew for a fact that Bacia and Jadek had gotten Andrew a soccer goal for Christmas. Jadek, however, did such a good job of hiding it, he had trouble finding where he had put it. In the end, it was located and put to good use.
Despite Noah's best efforts, baby Jesus has been returned to his rightful place in the manger. Reminding us of the greatest gift this season... Merry Christmas.
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