Christmas Day

Anders woke up at 6:30 but snuggled with me until 7:15. Ellis was up at 7:30 and immediately asked to go downstairs to see what Santa brought. For the record, that clever Santa did locate Sally and brought along her friend Shani, who Ellis promptly named "Alex."  This was no easy task, as Santa was not told anything but Ellis wanted her "Sally doll."  It took a lot of research to figure out who or what Sally actually was.

Here Ellis has a gift from Bubba -- a beautiful horse for the barn that was made by Bubba's father for him when he was about Ellis' age.

Anders spent the whole time playing with whatever was in front of him.

Ellis got a new dress from us, a beautiful star necklace (not pictured here) from Gram, a ring that lights up and a shiny headband from Santa, and a recorder from Tante and Uncle James.  She was eager to have as much of it on or in her control as possible at one time.  She also got books, a bathrobe from Kackie and Pops, a castle, puzzles and a pretty clever educational toy from Uncle Scott and Aunt Hollee.  Great stuff, though too much.  I plan to spend the next week clearing the house of old clothes and toys that we never use.

Both kids helped me unwrap my present.

Anders just wanted to play with Ellis, whatever she was doing.

Ellis also got the crayons that are rings.  They were immediately intriguing.

This is the outfit that Tosha gave Anders.  It says "Just Chillin'."  She also gave Ellis a stuffed dog that she has slept with every night, these stick-on earrings and rings that were a huge hit.

Mike also dressed up as Santa (sneaking around to make sure Ellis didn't see and get confused), and went across the street to deliver toys to Gabby and Izzy.  This is a long-standing tradition started by their parents when Izzy was just 3.  Now, at 11, she seems wise to the whole thing; but it is tradition.  Their father, Marcelo, used to do it, until they kept asking why Dad was never around for Santa.  Last year, our neighbor Juan did it.  This year it was Mike.  Ellis saw him out the window and insisted on going to the door and waving to him.

Then the Freedkopfs came over for a traditional Christmas pot roast.  Delicious. Mike is an incredible cook.

Ellis and Nora played well together, but Jack and Ellis clashed a bit.  Quite frankly, their ages don't match up well.  Ellis doesn't want to do things that are interesting to a 6-year old, yet she is very bossy.  It didn't work.  When Jack is a little older, he will be better equipped to manipulate the younger kids and more tolerant of playing their games.  Of course, by then, Ellis would be older and much more interesting.  Considering their differences, they did pretty well.

Here are the O's in 2011.  I swear I am thinner than I look here.  In fact, I am being teased for the fact that none of my pants fit anymore.  Anyway, here we are.

All day, Ellis asked, "Is it still Christmas?" or "Is it Christmas all day?"  Before she went to sleep tonight, Ellis asked, "Mama, when I wake up tomorrow, what will it me?"  Sigh, it is such a bummer when Christmas ends.