Addison's Grateful Heart - A Special Memory To Remember

Something that really stood out this Christmas holiday was Addison and her unexpected outpouring of gratefulness. I don't know if it's all the years of consistently explaining to the kids how good they have it and how they have to work and take care of things they love. Or maybe it's the it result of them NOT getting little toys throughout the year on a regular basis for no reason. It could be that we have proven to them that if they loose or break something, then that is the natural consequence and we don't replace items. I don't know what it was but this year Addison surprised me. 

Around 11AM on Christmas morning, as we were changing clothes preparing to go to Ya-Ya and Grandpa's, I was in the laundry room moving last minute outfits from the washer to the dryer. Out of the blue, Addison came in and just latched on to my hip giving me the biggest hug. I lifted her up on the dryer and asked her what that was for and she just said, "I wanted to tell you thank you, mom. Thank you for everything. This has been the best Christmas ever and I love you so much." I had tears welling up inside me. All the months of preparation for Christmas (that you can't even tell them about, really) all were worth it, in that very moment. 

Later, I asked Blake if he happened to send her in and when he looked at me blankly, I relished even more in the moment and took a minute to praise God that we were being at least somewhat successful in raising grateful children in this world of excessive consumerism and materialism. Although I know she was thanking me, in large part, for the toys she had received that day, I am confident that she was happily overwhelmed with her several modestly priced gifts because we have worked diligently to show her that she doesn't need to constantly be buying or getting new things to be happy. I know we have a LONG and much harder fifteen years ahead of us but hopefully we are on the right path.

Later that afternoon, she did it again at my mom's house. I heard the end from a distance, but Julie clearly overheard the conversation between Addie and my mom. 

Addie: "Ya-Ya - I have said thank  you for a lot of things I have received for Christmas recently but I really really mean it when I tell you thank you for the SNO-CONE maker you gave me. I really really love it."

Although the beginning part might have been less than ideal to say when other's are listening, I am happy to know that her true feelings of gratitude came out and she shared them with Ya-Ya, in a six-year-old heartfelt manner.

This was the hug I caught after the conversation.

Christmas Afternoon at Ya-Ya's and Grandpa's

 Delaney took a 4 hour nap and missed ALL of Christmas afternoon. It was nice to enjoy conversations with the extended family and spend it focusing on the older kids. Carter and Addison received some awesome gifts like their new fort building kit from The Metcalfs, Addie's new snow cone maker from Ya-Ya and GP, Delaney's big kinetic sand kit from Ya-Ya and GP, and a whole new high-end golf wardrobe from Ya-Ya and GP as well as a new sand wedge golf club from Erin and Matt, for Carter. Delaney got an awesome pink balance bike from the cousins and Aunt Erin and Matt, too! We really tried to focus a lot with the kids, on solidifying the true meaning of Christmas and even sang Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus to really show them what Christmas is all about.

Playing With Toys!

Isn't that what Christmas morning is all about?! We really made a concerted effort to focus on outdoor toys for the kid's this year... the place we want them the most! We want them exploring, running, jumping and just soaking in the sun or wrapped up warmly enjoying these frigid Winter days. We love how our yard has become the center for neighborhood children to play and wouldn't change a thing.

Christmas Morning - Time Lapse

Christmas Morning

We had a relaxing Christmas morning where the doorbell ringing at 7:30AM got Blake and me up and out of bed. Pops and Lolli came over, along with Aunt Erin, to share in the magic of the kid's opening their gifts on Christmas morning. We had our traditional Christmas breakfast casserole and started with the stockings. Once again, seeing their expressions caused me to think that is was the BEST Christmas yet. 

Carter's favorites in his stocking this year were "golf sunglasses," a golf glove, and a golf magnetic ball marker for his hat. Addison's favorites were a recorder, magnetic bookmarks, labels for her books, a stamp with her name on it and a the movie "Racing Stripes" that Santa magically downloaded to our family's iPad! Delaney thought the Elmo bubble bath and colored bath dye were fun until she saw the candy. She even sat on "Pop's" lap several times since he was the only one that kept opening it for her at 8AM! Tiger even got new toys from Santa including a "Hide-A-Squirel" toy since she is obsessed with the squirrels in our yard.

As we prepared to do our annual race up the stairs to see if Santa came, Tiger guarded the presents at the top. Carter's expressions were priceless and he received his much desired Crazy Cart, along with new snorkel gear, a base set, a new spray water bottle and tennis balls! Addison received the 50 pound bag of bird food she asked for, tons of new dance clothes, snorkel gear, tickets to Disney On Ice - Frozen along a special outfit to wear to it and her other three "big gifts" she asked for - a journal WITH KEYS, Sketcher tennis shoes with air bubbles as the soles (so she can "walk on air,") and the TOY of the YEAR - Little Live Pet Talking Bird. Delaney was absolutely thrilled with her new kitchen and lots of new food to make in it as well as a new Minnie Mouse dress (since she is currently OBSESSED with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.)

Soon after, we received a text from Santa himself saying there was one LAST gift outside. He had the elves make a beautiful custom sized picnic table that is sized fits all three of them comfortably.