Merry Christmas!

I think we will forever look back on this Christmas as being the one, THE Christmas that stands out above all the rest. Not just because of the pandemic, but because that magical mix of gifting and loving and patience and heart all rolled into one finally... well we finally got it right. It was perfect. 

Okay maybe not perfectly perfect. I'd learned how to poach eggs and though eggs benedict would be fun for breakfast. The sauce was a little too... bitter? It didn't come out quite right. 

The girls were troopers though and finished it off aside from Sydney who struggled.

That's getting to be a tradition in and of itself.

The stockings were a hit! Ireland loved her ramen earrings.

Sydney was thrilled to get one pass on her Saturday chores.

 As I do all the gift wrapping, I'm done with wrapping the odd-shaped item. I'm really glad the Dakota pillow was left out because Gita's reaction is so perfect.

As for the rest of the morning, I think the pictures really say it all. The girls were so excited to give their dollar store gifts to each other.

The hugs.

The squeals of excitement.

More hugs.

The anticipation they all felt, even when it wasn't their gift.

Their joy with each and every gift. I actually received this Christmas Starbuck's cup for free. But it was on Liesel's wish list so she loved it nonetheless. 

I did also get her one from the fancy schmancy Starbucks Roastery which she loved as well.

Remember that gift wrapped in the pink flamingoes in Christmas winter wear? Here is Gita opening it and I have to say it was a joy from start to finish! 

I'm still worried she's going to skate right into a car or shatter an ankle trying stunts but look how genuinely happy she is! You better believe she had those strapped on and was outside just hours after this photo. The last gifts were three small ones all with a tag that read To: Dad From: Dad. They were Echo dots for the girls bedrooms so they would stop moving the kitchen Echo around so they could have dance parties. They were so excited about those (mostly for the access to music) and Brent was happy to spend the afternoon setting them up. 

We took our annual Pringles pic to send to the family.

This one is my favorite.

We spent the rest of the day watching Soul and basking in afterglow. Liesel noticed her gifts had a color theme.

After skating around, Gita snuggled up to the fire with that Dakota pillow.

Christmas this year was everything. It was exciting and peaceful. It was touching and beautiful. It was surprising and eventful. We did it. We had the perfect Christmas!