I'm not sure what to say about Christmas day other than we kept it super simple this year and it was absolutely perfect. We did all of our extended family celebrations before Christmas so we weren't feeling rushed Christmas day and could just go at our own pace and enjoy. The kids would each open a present and then play with it for 15-20 minutes, sometimes more, and then we would remind them there were more presents waiting under the tree. Mason got his Annie and Clarabel from Santa and there was even some extra room in Santa's sleigh so he brought him How to Train your Dragon, too. 
Brynn got her Elmo Live and was excited until we turned him on and he started talking. She wasn't so sure about that and cautiously enjoyed him from a safe distance of about 3 feet for most of the morning. 
Just like with people she eventually warmed up to him and they became best friends. 
In my effort to put more emphasis on giving than receiving I encouraged Mason to think really hard about the perfect gift to get Brynn. He decided she would really like a baby doll. We went to the store and he chose one that came with a lot of little accessories including a potty. On Christmas morning when Brynn opened her doll Mason said, "Do you guys want to play baby.... I'll be the potty!!!" It was my favorite quote from Christmas morning. Brynn loves to use the potty as her own little chair ( see above picture). She is very good at taking care of her dolly, too. 
Brynn gave Mason a big R.D. dragon that swallows little Gronckles that he has wanted SOOOO bad. It was probably his favorite present and I'm so glad it came from Brynn because he tells me every time he plays with it, "that was so nice of Brynn to get me my R.D., she must have known it was just what I wanted."
The other highlight presents included Creaky Cranky, Bumblebee, hungry hungry hippos, and legos from Dad. I can't believe I don't have any pictures of Scott and Mason playing with legos because they spend a lot of time building things together, I'm not sure who enjoys it more. 
Brynn's favorite things were her spinning toothbrush and chapstick in her stocking.
Brynn got her Elmo Live and was excited until we turned him on and he started talking. She wasn't so sure about that and cautiously enjoyed him from a safe distance of about 3 feet for most of the morning. Just like with people she eventually warmed up to him and they became best friends. In my effort to put more emphasis on giving than receiving I encouraged Mason to think really hard about the perfect gift to get Brynn. He decided she would really like a baby doll. We went to the store and he chose one that came with a lot of little accessories including a potty. On Christmas morning when Brynn opened her doll Mason said, "Do you guys want to play baby.... I'll be the potty!!!" It was my favorite quote from Christmas morning. Brynn loves to use the potty as her own little chair ( see above picture). She is very good at taking care of her dolly, too. Brynn gave Mason a big R.D. dragon that swallows little Gronckles that he has wanted SOOOO bad. It was probably his favorite present and I'm so glad it came from Brynn because he tells me every time he plays with it, "that was so nice of Brynn to get me my R.D., she must have known it was just what I wanted."The other highlight presents included Creaky Cranky, Bumblebee, hungry hungry hippos, and legos from Dad. I can't believe I don't have any pictures of Scott and Mason playing with legos because they spend a lot of time building things together, I'm not sure who enjoys it more. Brynn's favorite things were her spinning toothbrush and chapstick in her stocking.
Our goal was to make it an exciting and wonderful day for our kids without going overboard and I think we succeeded. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
