Dear Etrain,
While we didn't really do as much as I had originally planned this year, we still had a pretty packed Christmas holiday...and it started the day after Thanksgiving. Dada had that Friday off so we enjoyed the day together and that night went for a walk down in Dana Point Harbor because they had it all decorated for Christmas. Turned out to be one of the most festive places we visited for the holiday. You kept telling me how much you loved it there.
I'm a little bummed I forgot to take photos of all the decorations I put up around the house. This was my first year with Dada that I really went for it and I must say it looked pretty good. Anyway, I even got a tree for your room so you'd have something festive in there. As you can see below, you decorated it yourself.
The church where you go to school had a tree lighting event and ceremony. It was pretty fun and you had a great time with cookie decorating and playing...until the ceremony. The preschoolers had been practicing Jingle Bells in class and were scheduled to perform at the ceremony. I can't say it seemed like you knew the song very well, but at least had the jingle bells part down. But when it came to perform, you weren't having it. As you can see from the video, you basically stood there the whole time and I'm pretty sure the reason you started crying toward the end was because you saw Dada in the crowd. Oh son, you were still cute and I'm proud of you for getting (and staying) up there.
The next weekend we went to get a Christmas tree. The process was pretty uneventful other than we picked out a nice, tall tree....and Dada wanted me to take his photo.
I took the video below on your birthday. We had been counting down the days until your birthday, the day Grammy arrived, your birthday party, Christmas Eve and of course Christmas Day. You seemed to really like moving the wreath each day and you'd remind me if we forgot.
Just a few photos I took of our decorations. My attempt at a card wreath will have to be revamped for next year. Ha.
In keeping up with our annual tradition, we went to Nana and Papa's house for Christmas Eve. We had a delicious dinner then I made every one pose for some photos. After that, Nana had something new she wanted us to try - singing Christmas carols. I have to admit, I though it was going to be corny, and maybe it sort of was, but it was also really fun and probably one of the more memorable parts of the night. None of us are fabulous singers, but it was fun to try to sing along and ring the bells Nana had for us. I hope we do it again next year.
This part of the video really makes me laugh.
Next was probably your favorite part...gift opening. The photos and videos cover the details, I think.
Last, all your grandma's read you the poem, "The Night Before Christmas." Another cute tradition I hope we keep up.
Christmas morning began with presents in bed. To be honest, son, you wake up wet most mornings, so I made sure you had Christmas jammies to wear for Christmas morning. :) Then we went downstairs to see if Santa ate the cookies we left out for him. Note, you didn't want to leave carrots for the reindeer even though we asked you about three times to make sure. At least you had Santa covered. And it was a good thing because he left you some awesome presents and filled your stocking...and Grammy, Dada, and my stocking too!
You seemed to have a great time opening all of your gifts...and helping us open ours. Pretty sure your favorite gift was the Magic Track set.
I mean, just look at your face...
That evening we made our favorite steak dinner and while it was cooking we had some Christmas music going. When your dad's favorite, "Mele Kalikimaka", came on you two shared a dance. After dinner we hopped in the car to go check out some Christmas lights. Last year and the year before that, we have gone to the same house because they usually deck it out completely for Christmas and it looks amazing. There's too many lights to count and they usually have music playing. This year, they didn't do nearly as much as normal. Needless to say we were a little bummed, so I quickly looked up some other houses to check out nearby. The one pictured below was probably the best of all, but none really compared to the house last year. Earlier this week we had stopped by a neighborhood a tad father away on our way to dinner. Let's just say we'll be going back next year because that was really amazing. We didn't have time to really stop for long so I didn't get any good photos, but I'll be prepared for next year.
I love that Grammy was able to be here for Christmas and that you got to spend Christmas Eve with all your grandparents at once. I like all the Christmas Eve activities that Nana set up for us, and Papa's delicious dinner. And it was fun decorating the house this year and getting into the holiday spirit. This was the first year I think you really understood and enjoyed all that comes with the Christmas season and I'm looking forward to doing even more with you next year!
Merry Christmas my sweet boy.
Love,
Mama
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