Our Christmas was pretty low key this year. This was the first year we have done Christmas completely alone, without any family. I pretty homesick for my family. I also knew that Christmas day would be pretty anticlimactic since out kids are up at 6 AM and we would probably be done with everything by 8. Knowing this, I tried to enjoy all the Christmas "moments" throughout the season to the fullest. I enjoyed listening to my favorite Tabernacle Choir songs by myself in the car whenever I could. I did all things Christmas in New York. I sipped hot chocolate and admired my tree after everyone was in bed. I watched Christmas movies and snuggled with the kids. Christmas day was great but it's really all those moments leading up to the day that make the season special anyway, right? I'm so grateful for the extra push to appreciate the small moments and find moments of peace throughout the busy weeks.
Our big family thing was going to the Enchant Christmas light maze again this year and it did not disappoint! I'm so glad we were able to go with Nana while she was here and that they got to make some fun memories with her. Oliver loves Santa and can pick him out anywhere. He ran straight to him and sat in his lap.
On Christmas Eve we took the kids ice skating, which was crazy because we were literally 2:1 on a slippery surface. Oliver loved it and every time we took him off the rink he was screaming "my skate" because he wanted to go back out. Remi did not want anything to do with it but was happy to watch. Sophie would let me push her around the rink one lap at a time and took breaks in between each one. Weslie was a champ and was skating without any help by the end.
After skating we got Maggiano's to go and had an early dinner at home. After baths we continued the tradition of opening new pajamas and watched a Christmas movie together.
Sophie Couldn't decide what she wanted for Christmas this year until literally the night before and then she made a whole (very specific) list. They all changed their wishes a little bit but the sleigh was already packed and ready to go...even though they insisted that Santa would know what they really wanted in their hearts.
Christmas morning came early. They discovered their new bikes at 4 AM and then had to lay back in bed until 6. We let dad sleep in a little bit and watched some Christmas shows and had breakfast. They were all pretty happy (especialy considering the lack of sleep) and it was a fun Christmas. It was nice and relaxed just being the 6 of us. My favorite part of the present opening was that Sophie and Remi got each other the same gift. They both bought the other one the exact same lip gloss. I enjoyed the day, had a nap and didn't even take any pictures because I was enjoying just being in the moment.
