Christmas Day- Part 1

I had visions of what christmas day would be like dancing around in my head. Daydreams of the six of us snuggled up cozily reading book after book, legs and arms weaved together and a mess of blankets all jumbled on the couch as we watched christmas classics on the small screen, all intermixed with snacks, treats and delicious warm drinks.

It was nothing like that.

I have lovingly taken to call my brood- the wilds, because- well, that is who they are. There's a lot of them and they rare to never sit still, and quiet they are not! So, I'm not really sure who's family I was picturing in my head, but it certainly was not mine.

That being said- it was hands down the best Christmas I have ever had! Better than I could have planned and dreamier than the ones I imagined. We adventured, we were active, we played, we imagined, we created- we enjoyed.

It was a tradition in my childhood home to make Christmas last all day. We would start with stockings, have some breakfast, open a couple presents (one at a time), go play together, open a few more and so on and so forth, til you opened your final present right before bed. For me, this is the way it should always be done, and how we have continued operating in my own home.

The wilds woke up and we dove right into stockings, examining each piece, taking the time to check out each others riches, before finally moving on to our breakfast feast. For the next round- we brought out their big gifts- a kitchen for Aussie, a dirt bike for Zain, and a pocketknife for Isaac. Each child was so genuinely ecstatic about their gifts. I can't even describe how much fun it was, just sheer happiness all around.

We spent the next few hours with lessons in knife wielding and biker safety, and plenty of time spent in the little kitchen dreaming up all kinds of deliciousness. 

Kaleb and I could not get over how well Zain did- he was so wildly brave! On his first attempt, his legs were shaking and his eyes wide, completely quiet he climbed on, his time had come to put Daddys instructions into practice. I have to tell you, I was so nervous. I've not been around dirt bikes and hardly know how to even ride a bicycle, so this is quite new to me. My heart was pounding and I had a huge knot in my tummy as he revved the engine and took off. The kid, was amazing, such a natural. The rest of us were so excited- running around behind him, cheering him on, excitement thick in the air- it was a moment. . . an incredible one.

After he had had a few go's, he hopped off and came to stand next to me. Helmet and goggles still in place, and with a gloved hand he held mine- staring straight ahead at his bike, he said "this is the best gift I've ever got," and like the sap I am, I started balling. Tear after tear dripping down my face as the impact of what an incredible day it had been and what a beautiful life we have, hit me. Sweet little kiddo, he had no idea what was going on, which then just got me giggling.

After a quick look at the time, we realized it was going on four o'clock and we still hadn't taken our annual christmas hike, or ventured inside to open another gift. There was still so much goodness left to come, but I'll tell you all about that tomorrow!