Family Christmas {two}

Jeremy and I agree that this was the best Christmas ever. With the kids getting older and being able to understand the true meaning of Christmas, this year outshines the rest in their giving, loving and thoughtfulness. We've also kept up quite the pace this season and methodically experienced special moments to help us savor the season and they adored and appreciated each one. There were no meltdowns, limited catching up on sleep, and a lot of patience this year. Which all added up to the most blissful and beautiful experience for everyone. And tonight, as I look at strewn wrapping paper and new toys that are already favored and crumbs on the counter from shared meals, I feel a little sad that it's over. This year is a Christmas that I could keep going and going. I feel so full of thankfulness and love that it spills over in the form of tears of gladness. I am so happy I got to experience this season through my children's eyes.

Parks and Everly followed ribbons tied to their doors down the hall, down the stairs and into the living room where the ribbons led to packages tied under the tree. Santa had filled their stockings and brought them copies of the their letters, but perhaps what they were most excited about was the note he left them. He told them what good children they had been this year and how happy he was they got to celebrate Jesus' birthday with presents given to them out of grace. And then he told them he brought our elf, Frisbee, back with him to the North Pole and then they cried.

 Everly was so excited about every gift she opened, she hardly knew what to do with herself.

 And in true Parker fashion, he had some immediate standouts. Mainly anything with wheels or wings. :)

 Santa delivers her beloved cake-toy.

 All of Parker and Everly's gifts are to share, even the ones picked especially for them because we live in a sharing household. They are beginning to see the merits of that (double the presents!) but some presents were written specifically for them. Such as, an amazing bowling lane that Santa scored on Craigslist.

 And this is what present unwrapping really looked like.

 And I made happy hubby's day with...a bottle opener...

that will be mounted to a wall in the kitchen. 

Be still, his heart.

 The aftermath.

 Everly impressed us by a, never stopping moving the entire day and excitedly running around and talking the entire time (despite what has to be a very tired girl), and b, her gymnastics skills. This girl has got some moves. She told Jeremy she could do a handstand on his shoulders. And she did.

Parker is almost six. So he's playing it pretty cool now. He did give Christmas a thumbs up and tonight he sleepily declared "Mom, I like you best out of anything in the whole world. But Christmas comes pretty close." Well, thank you. That's quite the compliment. :)