Christmas Day

Christmas morning the kids did pretty good at not bugging us until 7am. I heard them rustling around 6am but at least they were pretty quiet about it. When they came down they all seemed happy enough about their Santa gifts. Penny got a camera, Lucy got a purple bike and unicorn helmet, Ben got a bike and helmet with a mohawk and Steven got an imitation Go Pro. Santa also left them a letter telling them they need to work a little harder next year in order to stay on the "nice" list.

The kids were satisfied to mess with their new gifts and eat candy out of their stocking until Grams and Poppy came out of their room a little bit later. Then we opened gifts in an organized fashion- which Tyler's dad thinks is just ridiculous but it makes my heart happy. All the kids open one gift at a time together and then throw the wrapping paper away before they open the next one. It helps it so present opening doesn't go super fast and it also keeps down the mess. Like I said, keeps my heart happy.

Traditional pictures of everyone with their presents....

Penny got: a camera from Santa. Painting kit, pretend smoothie kit, bead necklace kit, Llamphone book, and fake glasses from mom and dad. Lego set from Grams and Poppy Brady. A Frozen notebook and smelly pencil from Lucy. And scented markers in a sparkly pouch from Tyler.

Lucy got: a bike and unicorn helmet from Santa. A scrapbook kit, scratch notepad, Garfield book, Unicorn purse, and pop up lemonade stand from mom and dad. A Rudolph nose from Penny. A lego set from Grams and Poppy Brady. And a sparkly pouch and scented markers from Tyler.

Ben got: a bike and helmet from Santa. Colorful blocks, a catapult kit, Minecraft storage and minifigures, and a Minecraft Activity book. A Ninjago Lego set from Grams and Poppy Brady. 2 little figures from Penny. And a comic sketchbook from Tyler.

Steven got a: imitation Go Pro from Santa. Minecraft storage and minifigures, blocks, a camping lego set, Makey Makey, and Minecraft book from mom and dad. A Minecraft Pirate ship from Grams and Poppy Brady. Fake money from Penny. And a comic sketchbook from Tyler.

Grams and Poppy Hatch got a calendar, socks that say funny things, and a Michigan Grandpa Sweatshirt. Penny got Grams a cup and Poppy a winter hat that was a bit too small (but she was insistent that he needed something to keep his bald head warm).

Tyler got a triple decker HP Lego set, and an invisibility cloak (that didn't work until the next day). Steven got him a shirt that says "Call of Doodie, special plops" and the girls got him "Baby Shark" cereal.

I got a laptop, a Beauty and the Beast Puzzle, a moleskin notebook, fancy scissors and a Little Debbie snacks puzzle. The kids got me a llama doll. And Tara (my secret santa from the Hatch family) got me a Q&A book for the kids and a cake decorating kit.

After all the present opening, I made our traditional reindeer pancakes for the kids.

Then the kids spent the rest of the day enjoying their gifts- Penny painting, Lucy scrapbooking and riding her bike, Ben riding his bike. Steven may not have had a new bike but he did have fun using his imitation go pro to videotape his bike ride. He said many times that his Santa gift was so awesome. That was a nice change from his usual negative attitude.

For dinner we had our traditional "Jerusalem" meal of fish sticks, fresh fruit, pita bread and hummus and fig newtons. We talked about what some of the food reminded them of from Jesus' life and it was a nice discussion. And then we ended our day by watching the movie "Abominable." All in all it was a great Christmas Day, made even better by having my parents there.