Christmas EVE in New Hampshire

Christmas Eve:

 Eli modeling his Christmas Eve slippers. Normally our tradition is that every year our children get to open one present the night before Christmas.  In years past we have always done pajamas and occasionally accompanied with slippers.  This year as I was planning out presents I noticed we had already bought a TON of new pajamas since our move to NH, due to the change in weather, and none of the children had need of any additional bedtime clothing. So instead I planned on coming up with some really cute slippers for them, preferably fun animals. Well, this mother of the year got busy and somehow failed to purchase the slippers until two days before Christmas....yikes. At that point I had one night to buy them and the only location to purchase them was at the dreaded Walmart. So instead of really fun, cute slippers we got green camo and pink camo slippers for the children. Good news was that sweet little E was super excited about his and put them on immediately.  He told us thank you about 10 times and kept saying "they feel niiiiiice and snuggly and warm".  Bad news was that Robby threw his and refused to put them on for about five minutes, until Jesse put them outside and then he realized they weren't so bad after all. Maddie just kind of rolled her eyes, and said "really....this is our Christmas Eve present, really?"  Gotta love her sass, right?! 

Besides this annual tradition, we came up with some other fun things to do as well. I took the children to see "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" at the podunk movie theater, while Jesse finished up some last minute shopping and then we all met up and went to dinner at Chile's.  Eating out is always a little chaotic with three little children but it was fun to spend time together.  Then we traded cars and I headed off to Walmart for some last minute shopping before bedtime.  

Jesse was awesome and gave all the kids a bath and had them in pajamas when I got home, so that we could set out cookies and hot chocolate for Santa Claus.  On the computer google maps has this fun website set up where you can find out "where" Santa Claus is currently at and it shows him trekking across the globe for his annual trip. My children thought this was amazing and could hardly stay away from the computer because they wanted to see where he was going next.  Miss M is way too smart and kept telling us she didn't have to go to bed yet because Santa wasn't in New Hampshire yet :)  

We also did some late evening skyping with my in-laws which was so much fun and Eli proudly showed off his new slippers.  Right before bedtime we took some celery and carrots out and sprinkled them on the front pathway for a reindeer snack and then decorated name tags to put on each of the stockings.  And finally, finally it was off to bed for out three little nuggets. Maddie was hilarious and kept telling me she was so excited that she didn't know if she was going to be able to fall asleep. Luckily it was so late (like almost 10pm) that none of them had any problem falling asleep :)  That and Jesse genius idea to "call Santa" and have him tell Robby that he was going to skip our house unless he got into his bed and went to asleep immediately. Then it was time for us to do our magic.  I watched "It's A Wonderful Life" while I wrapped, arranged and attempted to make our living room look magical. Jesse in the mean time wrapped his own items and patiently waited for me to finish. We had the pleasure of visiting with several of J's classmates who came over to see a real Christmas tree and to behold the chaotic mess of preparing for Christmas with children {they are from India and have NEVER celebrated Christmas}.  Then it was off to bed for us to wait for Santa to make his magical appearance.....this years bedtime was 3am for anyone wanting to know.  Worse than last years time, but better than a few years back.  

 Eli, Maddie and Robby with their Christmas Eve gifts

 Hot Chocolate and Sugar Cookies