On Christmas Day

 Our Christmas Day was just the four of us and -even with a trip to the laundromat- was one of our most lovely! 

Emma's gift from Grace. She found this on Etsy and just knew that it would be perfect for Emma! 

David's gift made by my friend Cindy who owns Hot Mess Company!

Grace's gift from Emma. She found this at Homespun back in September. 

Grace gave me the sweet little German figurine. I have always loved these and have dreamed of own some. I was so thrilled to receive my first one this Christmas! 

The girls each received this shirt as their "something to wear" gift. 

Grace told us several months ago that she has always wanted a tin lantern from Old Sturbridge Village. 

So we decided to make that her "something you want" gift! 

The Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama book was the perfect choice for Dave's "something to read" gift. 

Enola Holmes' books one and two for the girls' "something to read" gift. 

They both needed new helmets so that became their  "something you need gifts." 

A gift from Mr. and Mrs. Fadden!

Like I mentioned earlier part of our day was spent at the laundromat. The belt of our washing machine (which is twenty-nine years old) broke and the part that we ordered from Amazon (that shipped) never arrived, so there we were, Christmas morning doing wash since we were all running out of clothes by then! 

German Christmas cookies from Silke's Cookies. 

Such a sweet and simple day and so perfectly us! We hope that if you were celebrating too that your day was just as spectacular! xo 

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and your family the happiest of Christmases! 

May this season bring you peace, joy and happiness! xo 

On Christmas Morning

 Opening their gifts from Santa. 

It's always something wooden and always something he chooses for them. 

More angels for their nativity set. 

 Sister gift time! 

 Reading the card Emma made for her. 

 Her own (purple!)stretching band! 

 A teeny tiny sewing kit!

 Opening their "something to wear" gifts. 

 CSDS pride! 

 Something to read. 

I went back and forth about who should get which book and shared my dilemma with them. They decided that instead of each girl being given a specific book this year they would like these two books to be for both of them. We told them that when they are grown and moving into their own homes they'll have to decide who takes which one with them. 

 It wouldn't be Christmas morning without Legos. Perhaps we should include a "something to build" line in our poem! 

 Getting ready to open her "something you want" gift. 

 Her very own (much wished for) hot glue gun! Pink, of course! 

 About six months ago, Emma mentioned how much she wanted her own Swiss Army Knife. I asked her what color, expecting to hear "pink" and she replied "well, red, of course!" At one point, David told her that she should be ten for a Swiss Army Knife of her own. So, because she was clearly expecting it for her birthday this coming February we just had to give it to her for Christmas (when she was least expecting it). 

 Her reaction to this wish coming true was priceless! 

 Opening her "something you need" gift. 

 "Something you need" gift opening. 

 Emma- new tools (since her others had been outgrown). Grace- a craft cart for all her crafting supplies! 

 Gifts from Miss Jane!

 Puzzles! 

 Beautiful sticker books that Jane brought back from France. And yes, they are all in French (let's see how French I remember from junior high and high school)! 

 Trying out her pocket knife. 

 Feeding the birds. Thanks Gramma Terri for the wonderful gift (and new Christmas Day tradition)! 

Grace's "something you need" gift all assembled! 

Working on the Women of Science Legos. 

 Grace and Emma's gift to me was the gorgeous snowflake tree topper I was wishing for! 

It's perfect!

Wishing those celebrating today the very merriest of Christmases! We are enjoying a quiet "just us" holiday, and reveling in the fact that on top of everything we have a white Christmas, too! No matter how you are celebrating today, be it with a large group or small, we hope that you have a wonderful day with those you hold dear. Merry Christmas, friends, and enjoy the final week of 2017! xo