Christmas Eve

Wow! Christmas was wonderful. We had a rocky Christmas in 2018 and this year was exactly what we needed after having a rough go at it last year. I was telling DJ that it really feels like we're getting settled and growing roots here in Austin and it definitely didn't feel like that last year. I'm noticing though that as the girl get older, some of our traditions are beginning to shift every so slightly. This is the first year that Gretchen doesn't believe in Santa, which has kind of been fun because she's "in on it" and she get's it and it's like a little secret with just us. And on the other hand, it's sad, because maybe, she won't want to have her picture made with Santa next year, or maybe she won't want to participate in some of our little traditions. For now, this year at least, she appeased me by participating in all of it, but I can see how it's slowly starting to change. 

Anyway, just a little thought bubble that's been in my head, and despite all of the little glimpse of change, our celebration was still perfect in every way. 

Every year our elves bring the girls a "North Pole Breakfast" on Christmas Eve morning. This year, we set up twinkle lights and little toys, coloring books and crayons. I used wrapping paper and packaging paper as a tablecloth, so it can get colored on and messed up if that's what the day brings. 

The tablescape this year was just fun. 

I found reindeer peeps and candy cane marshmallows, and the girls had them with their hot chocolate. 

Each of the girls had a little table setting just for them. 

I bought the plates from Target last year, and we've had the little gingerbread plates for years, and their cocoa mugs are from Matilda Jane. I found the coloring books and trinkets at Target. 

The girls had Christmas poppers that they opened, but they were left over from last year, and there were only two, but Gretchen played along and let her sisters have them. 

Addy put on her paper crown and dug in to a marshmallow. 

We had strawberries, cinnamon rolls, and hot cocoa. I had really tried to get doughnuts this year, but we weren't able to get them the day before and I wasn't getting up at 5 am to go get them- ha! 

Sweet girls. 

We made reindeer food for Santa's reindeer on Monday evening. 

And Tuesday afternoon, we worked on some hand and foot print art for our Christmas art wall. 

This year, Adalyn made the tree, Megan made the grinch, Gretchen made the elf, and I painted a little tree and the girls each put a fingerprint light on it. 

We've made these canvases a few years, but we've also skipped the tradition for a few years. It was fun to add to our wall again this year. 

We went to church on Christmas Eve. 

And drove to downtown Round Rock to look at their lights. 

When we got home, the girls changed in to their Christmas jammies and we sprinkled reindeer food in the yard. 

Then we said good-bye to their elves. We always let the girls hug and touch the elves on Christmas Eve since they won't need their magic to get back to the North Pole- they just go home with Santa after he drops off their presents. 

The elves got lots and lots of cuddles. 

and some kisses too. 

After hanging the Christmas key outside (so Santa can get in) we read The Night Before Christmas and sent the munchkins off to bed. 

I needed them to SLEEP! So, I diffused Dream Catcher in their rooms, and rolled tranquil on their backs and feet. 

And around 11 pm, Santa was finally finished, and could go to bed! 

It was a good day.