Christmas Morning (a few days early)

As previously mentioned we'll be traveling in a few days and really didn't want to pack up all the gifts we had accumulated for E. So last night we lugged everything we had been storing downstairs and placed it under the tree for our Christmas Morning. D's really wanted to get E her own drum set as she's always wandering downstairs to tap out rhythmic beats or "patterns" on her dad's. So that was the big one this year; a tiny kid-sized drum set that just makes you want to melt into a puddle it's so petite and cute. We also filled in with books, games, craft projects, leap pad activities, and a few newly released movies she's been aching to see on DVD.


The morning was doubly thrilling to find the 3 1/2" of snow that had fallen last night in our yard (with more expected later today)! We had been out last night for the luminaria walk around Green Lake when the first ice crystals fell from the sky and were bouncing off of our frozen cheeks, and at 2AM were still gently gliding down.


After we finished our pancakes and D had his cup of coffee, they were off to play in the snow! They soon came in to warm up with some wassail, to cozy up in front of a movie, read through her new books and do a few art projects.


These are the days that I need before a long trip away from home, to just relax and be with the family. To gather these lovely memories and store them up for when she's older. After all, this will be the last Christmas where she doesn't have to share the spotlight with a sibling. Things will change, no doubt for the better, but they'll change none the less and I'm sure I'll easily forget how it is with just her.