Boxing Day
It's Boxing Day and snowing so beautifully this morning. When you wake up, I know that will make you happy. In some ways you take after your mama. May be later we can go skating even. I love to see the look on your face when we get to the rink and put our skates on. You look like someone handed you the moon and stars. I can't wait to try out my new skates that Daddy bought me for Christmas so I am thrilled to have a skating partner. Last weekend when Grandpa and Grandma were here we got to go a couple of times. Grandma held Zoe so that helped Mommy out. The second time we went, uncle Steve and Alana came too. Lani had never been on skates before and you showed her the tricks. For days after you talked about skating with Uncle Steve. He flew you around the rink a few times. Reminded Mommy of when I was a little girl. Uncle Steve used to do that to me too.
It has been such a fun busy week. Last Sunday you were a shepherd in the church play. When you and Daddy got to the basement to get ready before the service, all the costumes were gone. So Daddy created one for you out of scraps. He is brilliant. You loved it. You were adorable. All of the sheep were bigger than you. It was great! That night we went to Auntie Becky's for an early Christmas celebration with Grandma and Grandpa. They came down a week early to celebrate with us. That helped get us all geared up. You loved helping Auntie decorate her tree and helping Mommy put up our lights. You were a great helper with wrapping presents. And you even seemed to begin to understand the concept of secrets. In your great excitement on Christmas eve though you couldn't contain yourself, and told daddy that there were books in his present. Cutie. Auntie had you help her bake gingerbread cookies one day. Another day you played with Cassidy and helped them make stars to decorate their house.
On the 23rd we went to Sanctuary for the Christmas dinner there. At first you were pretty shy and scared. You aren't a fan of Santa. He really scares you. And there was a guy dressed up like Santa. When Steve finally took off his hat and showed you it was him then you were a bit happier. By the end of the evening though you were pretty happy. Sharon had you playing the violin with her. You loved it. And Patrick taught you how to fill the Pez dispenser. It's now empty again. And no more Pez to refill it with.
On Christmas Eve Beth came over in the morning. You were great cuddling up beside her and drawing pictures for her. Then we made a braided raisin bread. You ate an awful lot of dough. The concept of braiding bread like your ponytails made you laugh and laugh. I love baking with you. The house gets covered with flour, literally, but you are so happy. Daddy surprised us by coming home early. You headed out with him and Uncle Aldo to Future Shop for some last minute shopping. Oh the bliss of being off on an adventure with the boys. After that we all went to a Greek restaurant for a late lunch/early dinner. Then you helped me make a lasagna to put in the fridge for after church. By 6:30 we were at church for the Christmas Eve service. You were so excited you were almost tingling. When we prayed for lunch you added "thank you Jesus for Duke at church telling us about Jesus being born". You were so happy. Your face and eyes were a sight to behold. Of course at one point during the liturgy you weren't quite focused on the words. I noticed you were talking along with the adults and listened to hear what you were saying "tuba, tuba, tuba, tuba, tuba". I had a hard time not to crack a smile.
Then it was home for presents and lasagna! Such fun. It is so good to see our girlie so happy. You played with Daddy and had a grand time. Bedtime took about two minutes to fall asleep. On Christmas morning you spent about half of it in the bathtub playing with your new soap dough. By four in the afternoon we headed out to Uncle Steve's. More presents. More good food. More good times playing with cousins. When Uncle Steve went to pray for the meal you corrected him a few times. First of all he thanked the Lord that he had come as a baby like Zoe, Emma, Alana and Ekko. Of course you corrected him that you and Alana aren't babies. Then he added that Jesus grew up to be a little boy like Alana and Ekko had grown. Of course you corrected him again that you are a girl and not a boy. It was quite difficult for Uncle Steve to finish praying.
It was so nice of a Christmas. You were so happy at Uncle Steve's that you hated to come home. But now you are still asleep and that's good. We are skipping church this morning to let you sleep. Hopefully you can get over your bad cold soon. Mommy and Daddy love our big girl. You made Christmas really special for us this year with your pure delight in everything we did.
This afternoon when you wake up we'll head out to play in that new snow. I love you my beauty. – Mommy
