Christmas Eve

We let the girls open a few presents on Christmas Eve.  We didn't really have much planned, so it helped to pass the time.  Plus, there were so many presents under the tree that we were starting to be afraid that the girls wouldn't be able to tell if Santa had visited.  Every year I try to scale back on Christmas, and every year I fail.


Becca opened a new moose (I think she's still calling it a reindeer), and decided that he needed to dress just like her.

Emma opened an Etch-a-sketch for the three of them.  They also got two other computer-like toys (that they opened on Christmas) and now this counts as the third "computer."

And how can we forget the recorders that my parents got the girls.  I mean, HOW CAN WE FORGET THE RECORDERS THAT MY PARENTS GOT THE GIRLS?  Yeah, they're loud.  But how can we argue with musical instruments?  I do believe in the brain power that comes from musical training.

And the clown nose.  Not a Christmas present.  They got it at school when a clown from the circus came to school.  (Julie was too afraid to take one from the clown.  Can't blame her.)  And it's on Emma's nose here, but her preferred location for the clown nose is actually on the end of that pencil she's holding.

To get out of the house for a little while, we did actually go out for Chinese food for dinner.  Didn't expect to be able to make a same-day reservation on Christmas Eve, but it worked out just right.