Happy Holidays 2012

The Christmas rush is finally over.  The cookies have been eaten.  The guests have left.  We still are planning to get together with Dave's family for New Years but otherwise the festivities are over.  I now have enough time to breathe and post a few pics.

I went to my first Christmas concert as a parent.  Linus' school was all about efficiency.  The school does three separate concerts due the lack of space to house all those parents and kids.  The preschoolers and kindergartners do a concert together, preschoolers first.  After the preschoolers performed, we got to leave and pick up our kids and leave.  The kindergarten parents then get our seats up front. Total concert time for us: 20 minutes.

One of the smallest, Linus was easy to spot up front and on the end.

I have tried to shield Eileen from princess culture to no avail.  She will paw princess clothes and toys at Target.  Luckily, she has yet to fall prey to the Disney princesses and is inspired by Princess Pea from Super Why.

"With the power to read!" --Eileen as Princess Pea

Rainy weather, cozy Christmas decorations, and lots of Christmas movies meant lots of time snuggling on the couch.  We spent December perfecting the art of snuggling under blankets.

We simplified Christmas even further this year, limiting it to one day of craziness. Christmas Eve we went to the zoo in the morning, had a nap, and went to mass.  I tried to get some pics of the kids in their Christmas finery.

Linus can really pull off a bow tie and velvet blazer.

Eileen did not sleep all night.  She woke up at 1 AM ready for Christmas and stayed ready until 6 AM.  We finally stumbled down the stairs at 7 AM to learn what Santa brought.

 As he opened presents, Linus screamed, "I was a good boy! I wasn't on the naughty list!"

Using boxes to build a castle for his new Playmobile knights.

Multiple relatives gave Eileen princess gear.  Santa caved and gave Eileen the Disney princess slippers she had been coveting at Target.  For that matter, Santa gave Linus the Playmobile Future Planet set that Mommy said he couldn't have.  Hmmmm.

Dressed up in all her finery.  You will note she even has earrings and a giant ring.

My sister, Beth, and her family stayed with us for a few days after Christmas.  Everyone had a good time and we were sad to see them go.  As their car pulled away, Eileen exclaimed, "I love you Uncle Chris!"

Now it's time for the annual post-Christmas festivities naps.