CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY

This year, we wrote a letter to Santa asking him if he could come a little early since we would be in Brazil for Christmas. The children didn't want him to have to try and find them, and the parents didn't want to have to find a way to bring all the stuff home! So, December 18th was our Christmas Eve. I tried really hard to make it feel like Christmas and made a nice turkey dinner with all the fixins' and we did all our regular Christmas Eve traditions. It was actually really nice. After giving Olivia her "Ariel" pajamas, she kept walking around rubbing them saying, "Thank you mommy, thank you for the Ariels." I'm so glad she liked them so much.

Monique and Olivia had been sick all week, and by "Christmas" morning, it was my turn. I was really dragging, but the kids were up bright and early and ready to open presents. They ran downstairs to see what Santa had brought. They each received an art easel with a special message from Santa, and rolling backpacks for the long trip to Brazil. They were all very excited and ready to be artistic.



It was a wonderful morning and when it was all done,
Izabella turned and said,
"this was the best Christmas ever!"
I'm so glad.



Olivia LOVES Ariel, and was super excited to receive an Ariel doll from Mommy and Daddy



A new outfit for Sally. (complete with purse!)



Twix for breakfast? (Only on Christmas!)



When all the presents were open and nothing left under the tree, Olivia was really upset. She just wanted to open more presents. She didn't care who they were for...she just wanted more. I made her even madder by snapping this picture. And, as you can see, Kirk was filming. We are such mean parents!




What is the best part about an early Christmas? When the day was turning to evening, and all the playing was winding down and we had cleaned up 30 times Kirk looked at me and said....

"I don't want to mess up the kitchen again. Let's go to Burger King!"