Christmas Break Day 2, December 23rd

On December 23rd, my parents, sister and nephews came to our house for dinner and to open presents. We usually do our gift exchange at my parents house on Christmas afternoon when we come home from Granny's house.  This year we will be heading to the Credles after breakfast at Granny's on Christmas morning, so we got to start our Christmas celebration early this year!  

Anabella got a new purse with her very own Shilee. She calls both our dogs Shilee, and ever since they left two weeks ago for a  vacation with Grandma and Grandpa Credle, she has been asking every day for Shilee. Now she can carry "Shilee" every day! 

Besides his grocery cart, which seemed, by far, Daniel's favorite gift (he pushed it around all night), Daniel also had fun playing with some wooden alphabet blocks that fit in a wagon. Since then, he's also really enjoyed his Elmo book.  It, along with two recordable books that Maw and Dee personalized, was under the tree in the living room for a few days (okay, a week) and every chance he got, he ran to the tree and grabbed it. It's a book all about Daniel and Elmo's adventures at 8508 Preakness Place.  Though he doesn't understand the storyline yet, I know it will eventually be a treasured book as he learns that it's all about him! Anabella has one about her as a princess. (I'm pretty sure this makes me a queen.)

Hayden enjoyed the wooden blocks too!

As a combined gift, Daniel and Anabella got a table and chairs for the kitchen.  They also got a set of Betty Crocker food along with some dishes for their kitchen set. I think it's funny that of all the food in their set, they both chose hot dogs to take to their table!

They have had so much fun with this table and chairs. Now, when it's time to eat they will often go to their table instead of their highchairs. We let them sit there for snacks (and sometimes breakfast) but they still have to eat most meals in their highchairs- for obvious reasons, but also because Dan Credle thinks it's fun to eat off Anabella's plate and vice versa. Not to mention, Solomon and Shilee have easier access too. 

Cliff got a new Steelers jersey, which he has worn like ten times since he got it, including Christmas Eve.  Who wears a jersey on Christmas Eve? (Answer: Cliff Credle)

Ryan and Hayden are opening their gifts from Maw and Dee on Christmas Day, but they did open one early.  Here is Hayden with his cool new car!

 

Anabella had fun being thrown up in the air by her Dee. She kept saying "gen, gen (again, again)".

We had lasagna for dinner. And what's lasagna without a little tea?! Ever since Anabella had her first sip of tea, she now requests "tea" whenever we eat. Funny, though, it's only when we eat with certain people. It's as if she knows who gives her tea (Maw, Granny and Allie) and who doesn't (rest of us, namely Mommy and Daddy).

After dinner, Daniel decided that it was time these chairs went to the kitchen. I guess he knew that's where they were supposed to be! So, he took them there. 

Daniel had a blast pushing around this grocery cart.  The funny thing is that he didn't want any groceries in his cart except for this bottle of ketchup that Anabella is trying to remove.  Notice I said trying.  She did not remove it. Nor did she push the cart. At least not that night anyway.  Daniel was not having it.  She didn't mind though. She preferred to play with her cousins, and get some attention from Aunt Allie and her Maw and Dee. 

What a fun December 23rd! I am so glad we decided to do it this way.  Not only did we have more time for enjoying family and playing with new toys, Cliff and I didn't have a carload of stuff to unpack!