The Christmas season started with what has become an annual tradition: Christmas jammies!
Hmm, let me guess: we're freshly bathed, but you told us to open these presents before putting our jammies on. I can't imagine what could be inside!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
After decorating the kids, it was time to decorate our condo. We went to Costco to get our tree and also to beef up our decoration stash. I was thinking a wreath and maybe some more lights, but the kids were enamored with this gaudy, bedazzled, Christmas-tree thingy that had a Christmas train and Santa's sleigh going around and around on repeat. Oh, and it also played Christmas carols on blast. Awesome.
At first I said no. But when they stood and stared at it longingly for 10 minutes, they won me over.
Danny, however, did not understand that we had to buy a new one in a box instead of taking the floor model. He thought we were leaving without his beloved "choo choo tree" and he was not happy about it. Thankfully, he cheered up as soon as we got home and set it up in the living room.
My parents just taught me that temper tantrums work!
The kids were excited to decorate the tree once we set it up. And this year, they actually did most of it by themselves...the first time anyway. The second time (i.e., after Jill fell into the tree and knocked it over and half the ornaments fell off) I did it myself after they were in bed.
Danny was more interested in guarding his treasure than decorating the tree.
The kids got into the holiday spirit by singing Christmas carols. Danny's favorite was one of the classics: "Jingy Bells." Aaron and Jill liked that one too, but they preferred the new version that Daddy taught them: "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells." Also a classic.
Kinda tough to sing with a mouthful of food.
And we made Christmas cookies again. The kids are old pros at rolling out dough on the counter now thanks to all our pizza-making endeavors. And this year we bought some new cookie cutter shapes, because we're adventurous like that.
Busy bakers
Mmm, raw eggs
Picking out their favorite shapes
Frosting and sprinkles
Taste testing
In addition to decorating cookies, we also decorated a gingerbread house again this year. Danny and Jill were way more interested in eating the candy decorations than affixing them to our gingerbread house, but in the end we still ended up with a festive mantel.
Of course, Christmas would not be complete without a visit to see Santa. This year, instead of waiting in line at Macy's, we figured out that Lincoln Park Zoo has a Santa at its Zoolights festival. So we got there right when it opened and were first in line! However, the change of venue did not go unnoticed by Aaron. Right before we sat in Santa's lap, Aaron turned to me with a suspicious look: "Mommy, Santa looks...different...than he did last year."
Danny had his suspicions about Santa too.
As we were leaving, Jill ran back to tell Santa that Danny wanted garbage for Christmas. That's right, garbage. For his garbage truck toy. Santa was understandably nonplussed by the request.
Checking out the zoolights on our way home.
Aaron and Jill's preschool put on another five-star Christmas show this year. Aaron was a shepherd and Jill was an angel. It was sweet (and efficient) to see them performing together. One of the many benefits of having two kids only one year apart in school!
My little singing snowflakes
Jill needed a mid-show hug for inspiration
The nativity scene
Oscar-worthy performance!
The holidays are a great time to enjoy some of the classic Christmas movies. As a movie-lover myself, this is one of my favorite parts.
Polar Express with the Hjelmgrens
We introduced Aaron to Home Alone. He loved it. Danny wasn't so sure.
Jill got Brave in her stocking, so we all cuddled on the couch to watch Merida's adventures together.
Pajama and movie day at school.
(Glad to see my tuition dollars are being well-spent)
Of course we also enjoyed time with both sides of the family. And there were lots and lots of presents. We all might have gone a bit overboard this year, but the kids didn't seem to mind.
Presents presents everywhere
Enjoying their new loot.
By far the best things under the tree.
A few other highlights from our Christmas this year include:
Tired-out kiddos clutching their favorite presents
(in this case, a rubber chicken)
Adorable hand-made ornaments from school
Spending time with good friends
Relaxing in the glow of Christmas lights and a warm fireplace
Creating heartwarming Christmas-themed artwork
(such as Aaron's picture of himself yelling at Jill to stop opening his presents)
Riding the CTA holiday train
Getting bored during the Christmas Eve service
Merry Christmas from the Broyles Bunch! Hope your holiday was as holly and jolly as ours was!
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