Merry Christmas to ALL!!

Christmas has arrived.... officially!!!!!

Late on December 24th (Christmas Eve), we left snacks and note for Santa to make sure that he didn't pass over our house. The note was paraphrased by Addison's dictation and signed by Lily and Addison both, but Addison asked to write his name all by himself! (He only needed help with the "S" and was so concerned it wasn't perfect - Will Santa know that's a "D"?.) The snacks included: home-made gingerbread cookies, low-fat cottage cheese (Addison's idea because Santa is fat), one banana, and fresh pineapple (Lily's idea). We also left carrots for the reindeer.

Santa gave us a letter in return that let us know that Comet especially liked the carrots and all were eaten.

Santa felt obligated to leave the children toys, since they've been good all year. Santa gave Lily a brand new wooden horse barn with horses to place inside. Addison was blessed by two of Santa's silver bells from his sleigh, a big Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer stuffed animal and a bright red Fire Rescue engine with moving ladder and flashing lights.... SUPER COOL!!!

Addison also received a fun clown stacking game and Lily a "Little Red Riding Hood" finger puppet set and Kinder eggs from The Martin Family. Ma and Pa Leet sent each a fun new book and Auntie H hit the nail on the head with a new Thomas trainset for Addison and a Cabbage Patch doll for Lily. They each also received new games, books, crafts, and bathtime toys from Mommy & Daddy.

Santa also left great treats and games in each of the children's stockings. Both were extremely excited to see that the magical Christmas dust that we placed in the front yard on Christmas Eve really worked! Addison was somewhat incredulous wondering "Why did Santa give me soap in my stocking?" It's really cool soap though, it has a rubber lion on the inside! :)

Santa even placed presents in the stockings of our good little pets: Jack (the dog), Cupid, Langston, Katie, Dizzy and Bob (the algae-eater). Jack received a new bone, which he gnawed on for hours Christmas morning. Cupid, Langston and Katie each got new kitty toys and a whole batch of the best catnip imaginable... (I think it's from South America). And, of course, the fish Dizzy and Bob, each received new marbles and plastic seaweed.... AWESOME!!!!

As for Mommy and Daddy, we both received a wonderful first few minutes with two excited children. BUT, both Addison and Lily have been sick over the last few days with Addison stomach bug afflicting him the most on Christmas morning. What a difference to have Addison down and out (and a bit cranky) and Lily ready and eager to open all the gifts for everyone and not sure why we needed to wait to clean up vomit. As much as Addison was looking forward to our Christmas ham, I think he'll be having waffles and water for his Christmas supper. We believe we picked that bug up at the mall last week.... the gift that keeps on giving!

Addison has been pretty intense today. He's such a logical little boy, I almost think Santa is too much for him to wrap his arms around. It breaks my heart to think that he was sad today and not just because he was sick. He just didn't really seem to get into it. He has acted like something is bothering him all day, but he won't tell us what is wrong.

Oh yeah, I got some new Under Armour workout clothes and a new Colts hat. As for Mommy.... new Victoria Secret stuff and Grey's Anatomy DVDs. We took some time to play some old Christmas videos from Addison and Lily's first Christmas'. These truly are special times - vomit and all :)

Merry Christmas to all... and to all a good night!