December 8, 2015 – Rudolph Pancakes
December 9, 2015 – Ugly Sweater Sugar Cookie Decorating
December 19, 2015 – Christmas Program at Church
Creegan as a wise man.
Peter as Caesar Augustus. Needless to say, the costumes available at church were not of ancient Hebrew fashion.
Eddie as the angel.
Acting is hard work.
Eddie as an angel, announcing to Mary that she is going to have a baby. He really captured the "wowzers!" factor.
December 20, 2015 – Snowmen Pizza
December 24, 2015 – Christmas Eve
The Christmas Eve tradition of opening one present from Mom and Dad continued this year. This year's gift: body pillows.
Creegan wasn't entirely sure how to use a body pillow.
We also continued our Christmas Eve tradition of driving around looking at Christmas lights just before bed. Eddie and Creegan could scarcely tolerate the flash of the camera. And don't worry, the kids had hot chocolate, not coffee. Melanie and I had the coffee: our first caramel macchiatos. I added some half and half to mine, as well as a couple of pumps of Irish Creme. It was muy bueno.
December 25, 2015 – Christmas Day
Where we currently live, we had one Christmas tree upstairs and another one downstairs. Like last year, Eddie left a note for Santa to leave all of his gifts downstairs. The upstairs tree was used primarily for gifts from family members, although I think Santa left some gifts that were NOT for Eddie, Peter, and Creegan upstairs. This is the upstairs tree, and so only about half of the Christmas booty.
Checking to see that Santa ate his cookies. This year, we also left out baby carrots for the reindeer and some cookies for Bernadette. Melanie was determined to teach our kids that Mrs. Claus has a first name and does more than sit at home on Christmas Eve. She comes along to help.
Let the unwrapping begin.
Nerf guns were a very popular item. All three boys asked for some, and all three received more than one as a gift.
These cups are called Snackeez Duos. Apparently, the boys have wanted one very much ever since seeing them in use early in the school year. There is a compartment for snacks at the top, and the beverage goes in the area beneath. A straw then extends through the snack section and into the drink. You can then pop open the top and snack on whatever.
As Christmas approached, Creegan suddenly took a strong interest in the one and only Perplexus game that we own. He started asking if there were other Perplexus games and what were they called, etc. It was clear that getting a new Perplexus for Creegan was a must. Here, he examines his newly opened Perplexus Twist.
Peter and Creegan each received a "Chubby Puppy" from Melanie's parents. They found them quite adorable.
The last few years, the boys have each received a card game with their stocking. This year, Eddie received Guillotine.
Eddie brought up last minute that he hoped to receive Diet Coke in his stocking. It was so last minute that I'm sure Santa must have already planned that. What a coincidence. Usually, our kids aren't permitted caffeinated beverages.
One of several packages of nuts I received for Christmas. In addition to the toasted coconut cashews you see here, I also received pumpkin spice almonds, regular cashews, macadamia nuts, and others.
Christmas Part II: The Downstairs Tree
Creegan finds one of several unwrapped movies mixed in with the gifts. Santa often leaves a few unwrapped items that are meant for the whole family.
This CD received near constant play in our family car while we had it checked out from the library. All three boys absolutely love it. Since Santa brought us our own copy, it has again gone into permanent play on our car stereo.
When Peter sent his letter to Santa, he asked for only five things. One of those things was a purse. Santa delivered this peppermint purse, which Peter dons proudly.
A ghost-shooting game courtesy of Uncle Tom.
I’ll conclude with some photos of Peter enjoying his new keyboard. It took a couple of days for him to open it and actually start using it, but since then, he’s been quite enthusiastic about it. He loves playing the demos and dancing along, as you’ll see below, but he also likes experimenting with his own playing. It’s been very fun for a music fanatic such as myself to behold.
See you next year!
