CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas morning the girls were anxious to go downstairs to see if Santa had come. True had left him an apple and some cookies the night before, so she wanted to see if he ate them. Indeed, he had and had also left some nicely wrapped packages beside his empty plate (the open presents on the left are from Christmas Eve).

Here are my four girls, smiling together, well as best as I could get them all to at the same time. They are happily clutching some of the toys they got from their Grammy and Grumpy. The Minnie in True's arms were for Soul, but she doesn't liked stuffed animals and freaked out, so True claimed her for her own. The Monchichi Soul's holding is Brave's ultimate favorite toy she got a couple birthdays ago and Brave is holding True's Jesse doll she got from my parents the night before. My kids are a little mixed up on whose toy is whose, but maybe they are just really good at sharing!

For stocking stuffers, True got a headband, Brave a 2-d puzzle, and Soul and Glow got little dolls. We also added some of their favorite snacks in the stocking, even Ben got some special snacks too!

Santa brought them a record player and some read along vintage record sets that Santa got here. They were super duper excited about getting to play their read along records, especially their Sound of Music one their Auntie RJ gifted the night before. My girls are big fans of Rodgers & Hammerstein. The morning was spent listening to some records then hurriedly dressing and leaving the house to gather with our church family.

After spending time being reminded about Christ's kingship and how that relates to the traditional Christmas songs we sing about his rule, we came home to relax, play, and finish opening presents under the tree. Ben and I gifted the big girls each with a Moomin book to add to their collection and Soul got a vintage quilt for when she moves out of her crib. I am so glad we go simple with the amount of gifts we give them cause too many presents means more stuff and more stuff means more messes. We really don't need more messes around this place! The rest of the afternoon was spent with the big girls watching movies big screen style on the wall, while the babies slept, and Ben and I cuddled.

These dolls are one of my very favorite toys the girls have. We have a nice little collection. We have had the one on the very left for years, and the two little ones were in Soul and Glow's stocking this year (the white one is vintage), and my parents gave Soul the big one on Christmas Eve. They are not very many toys Soul likes and these dolls are one of the few that she does actually like. Though, when she first took out that big one, she was a bit frightened because she isn't quite used to seeing them so large. I love these dollies so much because their adorable little faces are too sweet! Just like my girls. BTW- I purchased one extra little one, so if you are interested in purchasing it from me, email me for details.

Christmas evening, we went to my aunt's and spent the rest of the day eating more yummy food and playing fun games with my family. I love that my girls know it is Jesus' birthday that we celebrate and I especially love being with my family on this very special holiday. The day was obviously very merry and very bright!