Christmas Time is Here

Christmas was really excting and fun this year. Noah could hardly contain himself, especially as the big day drew closer. He has an advent calendar that he gets to untie (and eat!) a piece of candy every day. (We used Smarties) He knew that when he untied the last piece of candy and got to the bell, it meant it was Christmas. The day before Christmas Eve (I guess that's Christmas Eve eve), he kept saying "One more day! One more day!" He knew that the next day, when he took off the smarties, that was it! Christmas had arrived. And he was bouncing off of the walls!

We hosted my parents, brother, aunt and cousins for Christmas Eve. We all went to church while my brother stayed at my house to put our side dishes in the oven and take the ham out. What a great brother he is! Our dinner was ready when we came home - and the feasting began. Afterwards we open presents. It's Noah's favorite part!

Also on Christmas Eve, Santa comes around our 'hood on a fire truck. (I guess he gives those reindeer a rest at the athelic association??) Noah was so excited when he saw the fire truck coming up the street, that he started talking in gibberish. He's pretty well spoken for a 3 year old, but I guess the sight of Old Saint Nick just was too much. After he got a hug and a candy cane from Santa, we hurried inside, put on his jamas and left cookies and coffee (because it's cold...who wants all that milk when it's cold??) for Santa and carrots and reindeer food for the reindeer.