lethargic elf and other happenings: preChristmas

We celebrated this year's Christmas with Michael's family.  A treat to have the Virginia sister and parents in Houston as well.  We started the festivities early, even before they arrived.  There were the usual things like decorating the house-- including an elf that was rather lethargic this year...in fact, the first day he was out, Abigail touched him.  I scolded her and said something like, "Remember you aren't supposed to touch him.  He will lose his magic and won't move anymore."  That night we went to bed and completely forgot about him.  The next morning she said, "Gussie did not move! He lost his magic."  Oops...We had a lot of nights like that.  We made up for it somewhat by adding a cousin, Stilton.  Wherever (whenever) Gussie moved, so did Stilton alongside of him.

We also did the traditional light viewing.  We picked a Monday night to go see the lights of Prestonwood.  It was the last week of school and the neighborhood was empty--only saw 2-3 other cars the whole time!  Score!  We had a great time admiring the lights and pointing out changes from last year's displays.  My favorite was probably the Peter Pan house.  It was even more decked out than normal with the loveable characters all on display.  This was one activity we repeated again on the following Monday night with the fam when they got in town.  Far busier but still fun.

But we also did something a little less traditional.  We opened up a gift or two every day until the family showed up.  Opened pre-Christmas:  the traditional ornament per/person.  David got a Storm Trooper, E- a singing Belle ornament, A- a singing Rapunzel ornament, Daddy- a metal photo ornament, and Mommy a cross ornament.  Also opened early: slippers for the kids; dollar store goodies like a chess set, puzzles, a few books, princess crowns; video games, a nightgown, a small lego set, and gifts from Brown family.  David loved his potato clock, lego set, and cipher wheel, and the girls their fancy dresses.

...and we were still a week from Christmas Day!