Christmas 2008 was relatively quiet and peaceful. The kids woke up very early to let us know "Santa" came with all their presents. Evan has already figured out who Santa really is, and we suspect that Madeleine knows as well, but we aren't asking. In the time a Yuletide cheer, a little denial never hurts.
Our tradition is that the kids are allowed to open 1 gift the first thing in the morning. Actually it's less a tradition and more of a strategy. This gives Tina and I some additional sleeping time since we don't want to get up as early. Calling it a tradition just sounds better.
Once we're all up, Gigi comes over and the gift giving starts. Overall the kids were extremely happy this year. The big gifts included an Ipod and a Nintendo DS. This was also the year of the UnderArmour The kids love them and they got shirts from us, Gigi and their Aunt and Uncle.
A few days before Christmas Evan was rattling off what he wanted when we asked him if he knew what we wanted. Silence ensued. We proceeded to explain to him that this was the season of giving and not necessarily getting. Evan was astute enough to inquire that if this was the season of giving, why were we asking for things from him? Good point. Fortunately that night Evan with the help of Gigi put together coupons from Evan including " getting a massage from Evan" and "Evan helping dad all day". Also included was "being 100% good, only on a weekend". I didn't realize that his coupon came with restrictions. An additional gift from the kids was a movie night. "They gave us two movie tickets with a dinner prepared by them.
In lieu of the traditional Christmas dinner with turkey, we opted for the less traditional steaks on the grill. That was after the homemade pizza for lunch. Keeping it simple helps make the day relaxing and fun.
The day ended with the Peppermint Pig. What is the peppermint pig? It's a pink candy pig where everyone takes a tap on it and makes a wish for the coming year. Gigi's friend, Martha mails Gigi one every year so it is now becoming our tradition. 
The next week we'll catch up around the house and probably go into Philadelphia to the IMAX and Franklin Museum. Then.. back to work !
2 comments:
John and Tina,
Thank you for always taking the time to let us know how your year went and actually sending the note with a photo by snail mail.
It seems like just a few years ago that our kids were crawling on that floor of yours in Pennsylvania and yet i look at how big your kids are now and realize that life has gotten away from us. Our Patrick is now heading on to 6yrs and the twins will be 9yrs next month- so like yours.. ours as well have moved on.
Christmas was wonderful in Aus again this year. It was 85 degrees and blue skies- like every Christmas -sometimes you get tired of this weather.. wishing once again for a white christmas that will never come. In any case.. the kids woke up at 6:15 and i held them off from opening presents until some elderly friends of the family arrived at 7:30. They were ok with this.. only because after Christmas eve mass I let them open a present if they agreed they would wait until the appropriate time when guests arrived to open gifts on Christmas morning. Of course it took them only a few minutes.. till about 7:34 to open the lot!
Like your house - it was Nitendo Ds lite that Santa brought our kids as well - he must have got a buy in bulk discount? Leaf insects was the only other gift worth opening.... this Christmas.... That was about it but its been hard to get the kids noses out of the DS for the last few days!
We are heading out to the Blue mountains tomorrow. We will spend the week lilianfels in Katoomba. Its our home away from home... about a 2 hour drive from Sydney.. we go there a few times a year and veg out with the kids. Its a little boutique hotel with about 60 rooms or so... a indoor and outdoor pool are the hit. We get 2 connecting rooms.. so we can close the door on the kids... (finally). Jennifer and I are booked for dinner at Darleys restaurant for new years eve.. and of course have already booked the babysitter for the evening. The kids asked.. why they have to have the baby sitter... we explained... the dinner for 2 comes with the room... (sorry white lie). Anyway... we can't wait!
John and Tina.. we wish you guys a Happy New Year - and wonderful 2009 - We hope that we get to see you in 2009 - all our love - The Ruffners
The peppermint pig! I want to do that again...maybe next year. :) And, Evan, he is so clever...never really misses a beat, does he? Glad you guys enjoyed the holidays and time off- so great that you had so much time off with kids too. And, Chip and I love your New Year's tradition with the early dinner. We might have to try that out. Thanks for sharing. :)
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