We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Getting this post in just under the wire - Boxing Day still counts as Christmas, right?  Christmas was a laid back affair this year, just Alex, Chloe, Ben and myself here in wet and windy Edinburgh. Although it was quiet as far as going out or having guests was concerned, it was busy and exciting in different ways. This is the first year that Chloe has really understood that Christmas is different than any other time of the year.  In the weeks leading up to the big day whenever she saw anyone dressed up in a Santa hat or wearing a bit of tinsel or sporting anything vaguely Christmassy, she would exclaim "That lady/man is all dressed up, ready for Christmas!"  

This year, for the first time in our lives, the shoe was on the other foot. This year no one was playing Santa to us.  We were responsible for the festive cheer, for making it a holiday Chloe would enjoy and remember (though we also had some lovely help from Granny who kicked off the baking and decorating while she was here - see the previous post for one such baking extravaganza). We started with the classics - we trimmed the tree, we made paper snowflakes and taped them to the window, we read The Night Before Christmas, we made unhealthy home-baked goodies, we listened to John Denver & The Muppets, Christmas with Nat & Dean, Bing Crosby's White Christmas and a myriad of other Christmas albums (and we listened to them all day long on the 25th, as is wholly appropriate on Christmas Day).  We left out snacks on Christmas Eve - a mince pie and a beer for Santa, some carrots for the reindeer.  Chloe suggested they might also like some juice but we forgot.  We stuffed the stockings that had been hung by the chimney with care, we wrapped the presents and tucked them under the tree.  

Luckily Chloe's anticipation levels weren't sky-high, this being her first real Christmas, so we got to sleep in 'til the ripe old hour of 7am.  I'm pretty sure that ain't gonna happen next year.  Attempts to keep her out of the lounge until we'd made ourselves some coffee failed when she ambled into the kitchen with two items from Alex's stocking.  So I collected them back, dashed into the lounge to stuff them back in and quickly switch on the Christmas lights.  Chloe then saw the remains of the snack we'd left out the night before.  She was rather upset that Santa had eaten the mince pie she had left out for him (Silly Santa!), and wanted it back in the foil casing that he'd left partly crumpled on the plate.  We talked her down and pointed out the stockings and all was well with the world again.

She enjoyed unpacking her stocking and opening a few little presents wrapped up inside.  

She most certainly liked the edible additions from Granny that all went on her "goodie pile" and were gradually consumed throughout yesterday and today.  This was not even the entire selection.... 

An introduction to PEZ!

Chocolate Stars.  They had some kind of filling but I can't tell you what because she declined to share them with me , walking quickly away from me and rapidly shoving them into her mouth whenever I suggested it.  

A lollipop.  To be consumed only in the kitchen because she keeps touching it. I tried telling her not to do that  because she would get sticky fingers but apparently "Chloe like having sticky finger"

It took her a little while but yes, she did figure out this money is made of chocolate.    

Once the stockings were done we had a little break for some Pancakes with fresh fruit, yoghurt and maple syrup.  Then it was onto the main event - presents.  Chloe had fun unwrapping her presents, Ben's presents, even our presents.  Well, why not?  Her enjoyment was what made the day for us.

  

Luckily for us Chloe is a very conscientious present un-wrapper, putting the paper straight into the bin-bag, so we didn't have to worry about an explosion of mess.  Apparently at 2.5yrs old cleaning up is still fun.

We had a really fun morning.  Seeing her genuine excitement as she opened her presents, skipped around the livingroom playing with new toys, rearranged the ornaments on the Christmas tree, stuffed her face with "sweeties" and made then re-made The Gruffalo puzzle again and again brought back to me some of the magic of Christmas that got eroded a bit with age and cynicism.

Meanwhile, Ben was rather oblivious to the whole thing.  Give him a year or two.

So thanks to all of you who sent us cards and gifts, Skyped us, and wished us a Merry Christmas.  You all helped to make it special for us and we are thankful for everything.  We hope you all had wonderful days yesterday and we wish you a Happy New Year.