Nice List

We had a quiet-ish celebration at home in AL this morning. Gavin woke up around 6:45 and came quietly in our room. He saw I was awake and said, "Mommy guess what? There are presents under the tree! I'm on the nice list! And I already opened one. It was a Cars 2 puzzle!"  I laughed. He was really worried there would just be coal under the tree. Not only that, but I was awake and didn't hear this said present being opened. I asked him why I couldn't hear the wrapping paper or his incessant coughing from this terrible cold he has. He replied, "You didn't hear because I coughed and opened the present under my covers." I see. Well, I better get up before I find just a bunch of paper and presents hidden in bedcovers.

We got on the computer and I-chat with my parents so they can get in on the excitement. He opens some from us and from my parents. His favorite gift was a $2 used board game called Let's Go Fishing I got from a kid's consignment sale. Go figure. Santa brought an amazing wood marble run from Quadrilla.  He also got some rubber band guns, Geomags, Superstructs, board games, puzzles, travel books and more. Basically, building stuff and boy stuff. We hung up with my parents and got on the computer for a video session with Shannon's family.  He opened his presents from them. It was nice to have the added noise and commotion even though it was through the computer. Thank God for technology.  Oh, and we did our tradition of lighting a birthday candle over our waffle breakfast to sing happy birthday to Jesus. He is the reason for the gift giving!

While all this was going on, our sweet landlords and neighbors stopped in to drop off Gavin's Christmas present. He unwrapped the first gift to find one walkie talkie. In the second package was a flashlight for Gavin to use when "helping walk" the neighbors' dogs at night. Over the walkie talkie comes a voice. It's Santa!  Gavin asks him where he is and he replies, "on the roof!" A few minutes after trying to figure out how to send messages through the walkie talkie, Santa's elf, our neighbor's 19 yr old son, brings over the other walkie talkie. It was a very fun and sweet gesture and added to our Christmas joy.

Unfortunately, during all this fun, Gavin is coughing and coughing. Likely will have to go to the Dr. tomorrow. And Shannon throws his back out.  That leaves mommy cleaning up all this mess and cooking honey with thyme for a homemade cough syrup, homemade chicken broth with some lentils thrown in for pure antioxidants to fight this cold of his, and for Christmas dinner; German Rahmschnitzel and Spaetzle! All in a day's work. Moms don't get a break on the holidays. Hmmm I'm feeling another cruise coming on!

In other news, Shannon designed a cross necklace for me. It is currently being made. It is made from white gold, is encrusted with diamonds, and in the center a purple stone for Gavin's February birthstone. For Shannon, tickets to Zac Brown Band in Birmingham on Dec 29! Date night!

Merry Christmas all! We are so very blessed. Happy birthday Jesus!