Our first Christmas at home was a great success!
Well, let's go back a bit. First of all, we survived the trip to NC. We only had one full day there, and the cousins played very nicely for about 90% of the time. The NC cousins have issues with each other, but that is a big bro, little bro issue, and it caused stress, but it wasn't as much our stress, which was nice. Did that make any sense at all? The trip back was long, as we went out to breakfast first and then got on the road, so it pushed back our arrival time at home such that we had to stop for both lunch and dinner. (On the way there we had left early, had breakfast on the road, and then only had to stop for lunch, so it was a somewhat shorter trip.) But the kids watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (thanks to![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.1)
weezeld's sister) happily for the whole trip. By the end, they were singing along!
On Christmas Eve I cooked a turkey for the NJ members ofweezeld's family. I think it was the first time I have ever really impressed his Dad with a meal (it was the home made stuffing that really did it). And it was really nice to have some sort of family gathering, since this was the first Christmas, I think since I moved here, that we have not traveled back to Mass. to spend it with my family. I still missed my family, of course, but at least it was a consolation.
That night, not only did the twins go to bed wearing new PJ's (thanksoaken_glen!), but I did as well (thanks, weezeld)! :)
Christmas morning was still a bit less than magic... the twins are just a bit young to understand yet, but it was fun nonetheless. They didn't make it through all of their presents, but as long as I let them play for a bit before asking them if they want to open another present, I generally get a good response. I think we will be through the pile by New Year's this year, which is a step up from last year, when they were still opening Christmas presents before their birthday in July.
I also realized a good choice I made on one gift in particular. I bought them a My First Leap Pad at the resale, mostly because it had a Leap game and a Thomas game, and C is a big Thomas fan. Now, we already have the Baby Leap Pad, but I figured a second one couldn't hurt. And, on the Baby Leapster they touch the pictures and stuff with their fingers. But with the First Leap Pad, they have to use the pen to do it. C is very immature with the pen, and has neither the accuracy nor the soft touch to get it to respond well. So I am glad I got it, because it will give him practice with a pen!
The other big hit is the toy vacuum (also a resale purchase!) - they fought over it for a long time yesterday! I might just have to make use of this... Hm....
I hope everyone else had a great Christmas, whether or not you celebrated it!
And now, onto New Year's resolutions... Anyone want to come over and help me wade through the junk in the spare bedroom, so we can eventually move the twins in there? Oh, and I have to catch up on Exchequery stuff, too...
Well, let's go back a bit. First of all, we survived the trip to NC. We only had one full day there, and the cousins played very nicely for about 90% of the time. The NC cousins have issues with each other, but that is a big bro, little bro issue, and it caused stress, but it wasn't as much our stress, which was nice. Did that make any sense at all? The trip back was long, as we went out to breakfast first and then got on the road, so it pushed back our arrival time at home such that we had to stop for both lunch and dinner. (On the way there we had left early, had breakfast on the road, and then only had to stop for lunch, so it was a somewhat shorter trip.) But the kids watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (thanks to
weezeld's sister) happily for the whole trip. By the end, they were singing along!On Christmas Eve I cooked a turkey for the NJ members of
weezeld's family. I think it was the first time I have ever really impressed his Dad with a meal (it was the home made stuffing that really did it). And it was really nice to have some sort of family gathering, since this was the first Christmas, I think since I moved here, that we have not traveled back to Mass. to spend it with my family. I still missed my family, of course, but at least it was a consolation.That night, not only did the twins go to bed wearing new PJ's (thanks
oaken_glen!), but I did as well (thanks, weezeld)! :)Christmas morning was still a bit less than magic... the twins are just a bit young to understand yet, but it was fun nonetheless. They didn't make it through all of their presents, but as long as I let them play for a bit before asking them if they want to open another present, I generally get a good response. I think we will be through the pile by New Year's this year, which is a step up from last year, when they were still opening Christmas presents before their birthday in July.
I also realized a good choice I made on one gift in particular. I bought them a My First Leap Pad at the resale, mostly because it had a Leap game and a Thomas game, and C is a big Thomas fan. Now, we already have the Baby Leap Pad, but I figured a second one couldn't hurt. And, on the Baby Leapster they touch the pictures and stuff with their fingers. But with the First Leap Pad, they have to use the pen to do it. C is very immature with the pen, and has neither the accuracy nor the soft touch to get it to respond well. So I am glad I got it, because it will give him practice with a pen!
The other big hit is the toy vacuum (also a resale purchase!) - they fought over it for a long time yesterday! I might just have to make use of this... Hm....
I hope everyone else had a great Christmas, whether or not you celebrated it!
And now, onto New Year's resolutions... Anyone want to come over and help me wade through the junk in the spare bedroom, so we can eventually move the twins in there? Oh, and I have to catch up on Exchequery stuff, too...
peaceful
That worked well with Natalie too. Otherwise, she was getting all this cool stuff and told she couldn't play with it, she had to open more. That's a tough concept for a 2 year old.
Glad the PJ's worked! I have this suspicion that I bought the same or close to identical PJ's for C last year.
And last year's PJs were different enough... they were red with snowmen, while this year's were gray with snowmen! And while the Christmas ones are so cute (I LOVE A's) the snowman ones are more seasonal... :) Not that they won't wear them all winter, anyway, but I am justifying here...
Clean up and Organize?
I've got some experience in this arena. Please drop me a line.
Re: Clean up and Organize?
After all, if you can channel Peter Walsh, I can use you! :) Thanks!
Re: Clean up and Organize?
Let me know if I can help and I'll do my best. Just remember OHIO... Only Handle It Once!