Christmas!

 Today was the Big Day of Christmas.  The day when all little children in our country realize that the threat of Santa not bringing presents was again merely an empty one, and the Getting, along with Present Count Comparisons between siblings is what truly matters most.  My children I am proud to say reign supreme in such fields.  Gavin got his two rocket ships, Navy ships that float on the water (which, mind you, are NOT a dime a dozen), and his stuffed shark, courtesy of World Wildlife Foundation donation by his parents.  Annah got a dollhouse, which she has been captivated by, lots of various furry creatures to populate said house, and paper doll toys.  I have to admit she is a supreme girlie-girl, though a very tough one.  She has won more than her fair share of toy arguments with her brother, a boy who is over twice her age and a foot taller.  Gavin, as seen below, spent the entire day in his PJ's. He switched out midday for a new pair, as seen below.

Two nights ago we went on the Polar Express to see Santa Claus at the North Pole, which Gavin reassured us (ie himself) really WAS going to the North Pole.  Really.  Been a bit warm up there since there was no snow, and its a shame those elves have to live in cardboard cutouts, but the North Pole nonetheless. Annah was dancing in the isle.  Gavin has gotten a little cooler since his Groupie-esque screaming of "Santa! Santa! I want a car carrier!" Two years ago, but he was still pretty stoked to see the guy.

We have otherwise been doing well, other than a little viral bronchitis that the kids have had.  Gav was coughing fairly bad the other night, so we gave him a nebulizer treatment with Annah's machine.  She did not react gracefully to that situation. I think she may have turned slightly purple and alerted every dog within a mile radius of her distress of the situation, but she dealt with it.  I  was a wretched mother and laughed at her, but I had the wherewithal to at least cover my mouth.  But we had a great Christmas, and as Itty Bity Annah (her self-description) has been putting it, summoning the spirit of Charles Dickens, "merry Christmas, every one."