This year we decided to stay at home for Christmas and head to California the day after. This was a really hard decision to make because we have always spent Christmas with my family in California. In fact, I have never been away from my family on Christmas day. But with Ethan being 2 1/2 we thought it would be really special for him to wake up on Christmas morning in his own bed and see what Santa had brought for him.
We spent Christmas Eve at Ric and Steph's house and had a mexican Christmas dinner. As we got into the car to leave, Ric and Stephanie stood outside the car door to say goodbye when suddenly we heard a deep, "HO HO HO!!" Could it be?! Ethan's face was one I will never forget for the rest of my life. He put his hands up to his cheeks in shock and with eyes as big as saucers said, "Santa!" The whole drive home he excitedly peered out his window waiting to see Santa's sleigh glide through the sky. He said, "I will look out this window, Mommy-you look out your window, Daddy you look out that window!" Even though it was late, he fought sleep (almost) all the way home trying to catch a glimpse of the man in the red suit.
When we got home, Rich and Ethan put out the chocolate chip cookies that they had made for Santa with a glass of almond milk. We read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and then Ethan went to sleep while Mommy and Daddy stayed up wrapping gifts. Matthew stayed up with us, and was so tired the next morning he slept through all of the action!
