Best Christmas Ever!

I think this Christmas has to go down as one of the best that I can remember. I usually tell the kids that they can't get out of bed before 6 a.m., but I forgot to this year. So I started waking up at 4 a.m. anticipating them waking me up, but it didn't happen. I could barely sleep because I kept thinking that they would be waking up and, in turn, waking me up at any moment. J was sleeping in my room with me, so finally at 6:30 I start to feel him stir.

Me: "J wake up, it's Christmas!"
J: "Christmas? Yeah!"
Me: "Do you want to get up and open presents?"
J: "No, I want to wait until it gets light outside."

And then he promptly rolls back over and goes back to sleep.

What? This is my 4 year old! He definitely takes after his father in the sleeping department! P finanly comes in at about 6:50 and wakes us both up.

One of the best things about this Christmas is that E actually took part in it somewhat. He usually ends up in his bedroom or my bedroom watching tv because he doesn't like all the noise and commotion. This year we took one present into the bedroom for him and started to open it enough for him to realize that it was something he would like. He then took it away and started opening it himself. Then he kept coming out into the living room looking for more presents. The kids enjoyed themselves and opened presents several times throughout the day. And I got the best present of all....a new DISHWASHER! I know it doesn't sound all that glamorous, but I desperately needed a new one. My old one still worked, but it was loud, not very efficient and didn't hold very much. I remember when we first moved into our house, the first time I used the dishwasher I decided that it was going to be the first thing to be replaced, so I am very excited!