Christmas Day

Lucy and Gus were thrilled that it was finally Christmas. On the way down the stairs, Lucy looked out the front window and saw that the reindeer food was mostly gone. She completely passed the tree with all the presents and went straight for Santa's plate and mug! I love that the empty plate of cookies has more weight that Santa came than the presents under the tree.

Lucy and Gus both wanted costumes from Santa and he pulled through for them. Gus wore his Buzz costume most of the day. He walked around saying, "Infinity, be-on!" (to infinity and beyond!). Lucy kept switching from Cinderella to Belle. She loves dresses and princess costumes! We had just the right amount of presents and not too many toys. It was perfect. Right after we finished opening presents Lucy asked if she could put baby Jesus up on the nativity set. So sweet.

Travis had it in his head what he wanted to get the kids for Christmas and there was no budging. Clearly, we're related. He wanted to get Gus a tee-ball set and Lucy a conveyor belt for her kitchen. We were totally okay with that, and really impressed that he came up with that on his own. Since Lucy was a baby he's talked about buying her an Escalade Power Wheels. We've just politely nodded and changed the subject whenever he's brought it up. Well this year, he decided to have mom go buy it for him so he could give it to the kids for Christmas. This thing is a monstrosity! He told us three days before Christmas. We were not happy, to say the least, for a myriad of reasons. The primary reason being that it does not fit in our house without picking it up and turning it on its side. We don't have a garage, so storage is an issue. Then there's the whole issue of me being pregnant and chasing two kids who don't know how to steer around our hilly house. And what a big gift! We were very grateful, but still, it was too big. So mom came up with the idea of storing it at the garage in their condo. It solved all the problems for us! The kids won't ask us every five minutes to go outside and ride on their truck, it fits, and there's a flat grassy knoll in the middle of their complex! We could finally be happy for the kids!

We went over to mom and Jim's to exchange presents on Christmas Day while the turkey was cooking in our oven. Up until the Escalade, there were no extravagances, all the presents were just right! The Escalade was covered under a huge blanket in the dining room. The kids thought it was great, that they could just sit in it and pretend to steer. Did I mention that their truck even has a working radio? Totally over the top. Anyway, Lucy pushed the gas pedal! Holy cow! The expression on their faces was priceless!

Gus was mesmerized. When we finally got the truck in the hall. Gus yelled for his hat, because he can't go outside without one and then he pointed to himself and yelled, "I DIVE! I DIVE" (I drive! I drive!) . So, we let him drive. He's too short to be buckled in and drive, so he's nearly standing pushing the pedal. Thank goodness Travis set the governor to 2 1/2 miles. 5 miles an hour would be a little crazy, especially with their lack of driving skills!

The kids love their truck. Watching them figure out how to manuever and negotiate the truck is hilarious. Lucy is still learning that stop means take your foot off the pedal, NOW. And for some reason, she completely forgets left and right while she's driving. And Gus, there are no words for his ability to follow directions while he's driving. When we did highs and lows at dinner, Gus' high was driving, "I dive!" They really love it and Travis is able to live vicariously through them.

We had Christmas dinner at our house. It was a good day, to say the least.