A Morgan Family Christmas

This morning started out much, much earlier than I had hoped. Two of our three children were up before dawn, and seeing as how I didn't get to bed until after midnight, hearing little voices when it was still dark outside made me feel like the grinch. I coaxed my excited children into our bedroom in hopes they'd return to dreamland, but no such luck. We played around until their sibling woke up, and were able to get them all to settle down in front of the tv in our bedroom to watch the new movie Miss B got from Grandma and Grandpa V. last night. I dozed off a bit, but kept waking up, so the movie wasn't too much of a success, but oh well. We all piled out into the living room around 9:30, and found a note on the table from Santa (next to the plate that once held cookies and carrots) instructing the children to eat breakfast AND help Mom and Dad clean up BEFORE opening their presents. Originally, I was going to make a yummy casserole, but the morning was slipping away and the dish takes over an hour to bake, so we bagged that idea and settled for pop tarts, apple sauce, cottage cheese, and apple juice. The kids didn't mind at all! Once breakfast was done, the dishes and table cleaned, we all went into the living room to get our stockings. Our little ones were so happy to discover Santa had left them coloring books, crayons, books, and cars (for the boys) in their stockings along with some delicious treats. First up to open presents from under the tree was Buddy. I set up a snowman blanket on the couch (for a fun, festive look as well as covering for my somewhat unsightly pillow backs that I just can't seem to clean well enough), and sat my youngest right down in the middle. He loves getting gifts, but can't open them, so he always thrusts his paper covered surprises in my face and asks me to help him start the ripping. He was so happy, and his joy shone through his sweet grin and twinkly eyes with each gift he unwrapped. The favorite? A music playing train that goes with his animal zoo from last year and a Spiderman playset. Next up was P Man. This little boy is so animated all the time anyway, so you can just imagine how exciting and funny it was to watch him open his presents. The favorite? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle stuff and Scooby Doo DVD set. Last, but certainly not least, Miss B.... This girl could hardly wait to tear through the paper, and I had to keep reminding her to slow down so I could take pictures. The favorite? A Barbie and the Popstar microphone and the Brave DVD. Patrick and I are party poopers, and we opened our gifts last night which included a variety of movies, XBox games, Bath & Body Works deliciousness, and jewelry. After gifts were opened and taken out of various packages, it was time to clean up the mess. This is my least favorite part of Christmas. I hate going from super clean to trashed in a matter of an hour, but we got everything cleaned up and the apartment looks good again. Next up on our agenda? The tummy-rumble-inducing chicken dinner simmering in the crock pot and one of the new movies the kids received. Merry Christmas, everyone!