December 25, 2013

Christmas came!
The kids let us sleep in until about 7:30.  They obeyed the rules about not going down the hall until everyone was awake well.
Each kids got a large gift from Jake and I that sat unwrapped in the living room. For Kate and American Girl Doll with some clothes and accesories, for Sam a Imaginex Batman Fort with all the guys, for Marianne a little wooden play kitchen with food, and for Bethany a ball popping dino.  Kate also got a new backpack full of art stuff including a fashion plates kit, stamp set, and markers.  Sam also got some lincoln logs, and Marianne also got some calico critters, Bethany some new clothes.  Santa brought Kate tons and tons of marbles plus a marbles track, as well as markers, keychains, lego friends, shampoo, toothbrushes, soda, candy, and a bunch of hair things.  Santa brought Sam a steel backhoe and grader (just like he has been saying he asked for on repeat for weeks) as well as a monster truck, lego, shampoo, toothbrush, candy and keychains.  Santa brought Marianne a magna doodle, and lots of art stuff, a minnie mouse doll and book, a toothrbush, shampoo, candy, soda, hair bows.  Santa brought Bethany some baby rattles, a new baby doll ( a very similar one to the one Mari has loved since she was almost Bethy's age) baby shampoo and lotion, baby food and baby treats.
Jake and I usually pick out something for ourselves and puchase it ourselves. This year he picked out a treadmill and I picked out a kitchen aid- which we have both been using for a few weeks.  He also got me some new music as a surprise and I got him a new remote control helicopter.
I love putting so much thought into the gifts I get this little family of mine.  It is really fun to make dreams come true.   It is also so fun as they can't believe what Santa remembered or found that was just so perfect and exactly what they were thinking or exactly like the one they saw in the store and wanted :) it is also really great watching the kids be happy for one another.  For example they were all really happy for Mari's kitchen (and maybe even liked it more than her) and also all loved playing with Bethany and her dino guy.  The house was covered in wrapping paper and toys and it was awesome.