Alyssa was very excited for Christmas. A couple of nights before Christmas we each opened a present. Erik got me a new camera and Alyssa was super willing to pose for me that night. It mostly meant she didn't have to go to bed!! She opened a game called Sleeping Queens which has been a smashingly fun game for the entire family!!
We spent Christmas Eve Eve, which was our nuclear family Christmas Eve with the Sisters and our home teachers! After they left we drove to see a spectacular light and music show. It was flashy! When we got home we put out cookies and milk and went to bed. We told Alyssa she had to stay in her room so Santa could come. She told us she would shut her door and not come out...and that is exactly what she did! It was remarkable because she is notorious for finding excuses to stay up until 10 PM or so!
Christmas (Eve) morning we discovered Santa had remembered us! Alyssa got earrings (magnetic) which she wore for 20 minutes.
Here favorite present was a doll car seat from Grandma. It was proclaimed her favorite from her own lips! Now the dolls can ride in style! It was particularly ridiculous when we caroled with Erik's family. She would bring the everything up with her to each door! After two doors she started just bringing the baby, but she insisted the baby be re-buckled after every house!
Our apartment complex had a kids Christmas party a few days before Christmas. Each child received a gift. Alyssa got this doll - Sally - who laughs and kicks when you squeeze her. I was practicing my photography skills...
After a delicious breakfast of orange cinnamon bubble bread (a slight variation of my moms orange rolls mixed with cinnamon rolls all concocted with left-over Rhodes rolls in a bundt pan) we headed off to Texas. Alyssa is a stellar driving companion.
Upon arriving in Texas we had a fiesta and then prepared the traditional Christmas Eve Archibald Caroling Extravaganza!! Erik played the drum.
Margaret played the "zzzzst zzzzst-er". She also coordinated the whole thing and selected the songs, which were Feliz Navidad, Jingle Bells, and Silent Night - very important.
Alyssa walked around crazy-like and occasionally sang and shook the jingle bells.
Maria played that thing down there.
Doug played the tuba, Jim, the guitar, Danielle (fam friend), the tambourine, and I sang...la la la la la.
After caroling we went to bed and revealed to Alyssa that Santa was coming - again! Christmas morning was loads of fun. Alyssa a child size children's song book with a case! She spent the day singing and playing from it! Alyssa loves loves loves to sing. She mastered Picture a Christmas, Jingle Bells, Silent Night, and the Holly and the Ivy this year!
See? Singing emphatically!
Alyssa did all of our present delivering. It really sped up the gift giving process!!
The day was complete with a nap on the couch! We flew kites, got said kites stuck in trees, rescued said kites, ate food, reenacted the nativity, and enjoyed fun and family! We also got to talk to Claire who is serving in Orlando! She is awesome and optimistic! It was a wonderful, magical two days of Christmas! Alyssa was a little disappointed when we told her Santa was not coming the next day.
