So here we are, in the wee hours of Christmas morning, taking in the glorious spectacle of almost 1000 white lights and presents, arranged by Santa himself.
It was really hard to be able to stand back enough in order to get the picture. I did my best.
The Imaginarium Train Table sent by Nana and Papa Bear. Sure to be a crowd pleaser.
All the stockings, stuffed and ready to go...
So here's my funny story. I set my alarm for 6am Christmas morning. My Master Plan was to get up, take a quick shower and put on makeup, and then throw together my breakfast casserole*. After all, Turtle normally starts coming to around 6:15/6:30 and is usually inclined to hang out for a bit, singing and chattering. We would be able to get him up, get him changed and then he could open his stocking before breakfast, have a bite to eat, and be ready to go back.
Let's raise a glass to the best-laid plans.
My Turtle woke up in hysterics at 5:15. Maybe he had a nightmare that Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. Maybe he thought his fussiness at church had earned him a place on Santa's infamous Naughty List. Whatever it was, we brought him into our room, put on the TV and tried to get him to calm down a little.
And then we really had no choice but to start Christmas. I mean, what else were we to do?
But look at the wonder and awe in that little boy's face.
Wow...
He made a beeline for the train table and dug right in.
And then. Then he found the wagon of mega blocks. And Christmas came to a screeching halt.
Me: Do you want your milk?
Turtle: No!
Me: Do you want breakfast?
Turtle: No!
Me: Do you want your stocking?
Turtle: No!
Alrighty then.
While he was otherwise distracted, Molly and Oscar took the time to remind me that Christmas is for pugs, too. They had plenty of goodies in their stocking, and presents under the tree, too.
Oscar pokes around, looking for toys.
Turtle took Oscar's lead and started checking out some gifts under the tree, too.
Then he tried out the stool for his art desk.
By 7, Turtle was exhausted and asking for his nap. I am not ashamed to say that as soon as his little butt was in his crib, I raced downstairs and hid the wagon.
We figured that we could use the time to open our own gifts, and then maybe nap a little ourselves.
I gave him a Keurig coffeemaker with some boxes of k-cups as his big present. He gave me a beautiful hand-painted UMiami chip and dip set and a hot-air popper (few foods excite me as much a air-popped popcorn. yum).
My mom and stepdad sent us another addition for our Dept 56 Christmas village: Molly O'Brian's Irish Pub. It's adorable. I'm going to be so sad to pack up this village.
After that was finished, we cleared up the garbage and took a little nap ourselves. Turtle asked to be all done at around 9, so we got him and then called Nana and Papa Bear on Skype.
Turtle checks out the computer monitor.
He then discovered the groovy light on his art desk. Fun!
At first, he really could not get into opening the gifts. Like not at all.
But then DH got a hold of him and started opening his first laptop from Aunt L, and...
Oh, ok. That's really cool.
Oscar has had quite enough Christmas cheer.
Playing with his laptop in the box. I find it amazing that he just knew how to place his fingers on the keyboard and "type."
New paint brushes.
We call this the Glazed Ham look. He's just totally overwrought.
He went back down for another nap shortly after. Which is when DH and I had to step it into high gear - our friends T and S were coming for Christmas dinner, and we had to get ready.
I made a delicious Horseradish Crusted Steak Roulade, courtesy of Food Network Holiday Menu. I don't have a photo of the inside, but it was flank steak stuffed with roasted red pepper, a mixture of leeks, garlic and fresh parsley, and provolone cheese. It was then rolled up and the whole thing was crusted in italian bread crumbs, horseradish, fresh rosemary and parsley.
T made a gorgeous spinach salad with tomatoes, bleu cheese and bacon.
We also did a wine and herb roasted turkey breast. Props to DH for doing such a phenomenal job on it. It's stuffed with orange, red onion and garlic, and roasted with wine, butter and fresh herbs.
And don't forget the twice-baked potatoes with fresh chives.
I also made a White Forest Trifle for dessert (it was supposed to be Black Forest, but I was cheating with cake mix and didn't have any chocolate. Oh well. It was yummy anyway).
T and S were kind enough to bring a heavenly cabernet for our meal and prosecco for dessert. We had such a wonderful time with dear friends.
Turtle picked at his turkey, devoured his trifle and then after his bath, wanted to play trains again.
And then he hopped on the Ride & Learn Giraffe from Nanie & Pop. He figured out how to pedal and everything it was so cute.
Another round on the laptop.
TICKLE TIME!!!!
So. Pooped. Must. Sleep.
And while this is an awful photo: perhaps my favorite gift. My very own Edward Cullen. Judge if you like. :)
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!
* Breakfast Casserole Recipe
1lb breakfast sausage, browned, drained and crumbled
3 eggs
3/4 cup (light) bisquick
1 1/3 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
salt & pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a greased casserole dish and bake at 400* for 25-30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the middle pulls out clean.
Read more...
