Christmas Eve is here

Christmas Eve in a few photos:
Puzzle time (man we are getting old, but this was so much fun)Turkey in the ovenBoxes from family piled high (Thank you!)smoked muscles to tide us over for Christmas Even dinner (tradition in my family)Christmas Even dinner spread (with enough leftovers so I don't have to cook Christmas dinner). New on the menu was creamed cheesy spinach. The girls couldn't wait to get their mitts on mashed potatoes and turkey. I have to say my pan drippings gravy was the best ever tonight. Gravy is a blessing. Yes, I did just say that. The meal was great. Even Brienne loved it (score!).After dinner, the girls were adorable. A Christmas version of "Ring Around the Rosie" ensued. See video. All day long we chatted about Santa coming tonight. Addie is beyond excited and equally terrified because she's not a fan of Santa in person. She digs the fact that Santa will come while she's asleep so she won't have to meet him face to face.

I was tucking Adelaide into bed tonight when I realized we hadn't put any cookies out for Santa Claus yet. She jumped up to help and we quickly grabbed our cookie plate, some Christmas cookies, and a carrot for the reindeer. She was in a big hurry because at any moment Santa could be coming. She dictated a note for Santa then signed it. (it reads: Dear Santa, We love you. Happy Holidays. Addie). She decided the treats needed to be on the coffee table and even set out her stool for Santa to sit down while he snacks. I pretty much melted as she did this. She heard a noise outside as she was signing the note and quickly ran back to her bed. She has no worries about Santa Claus finding our house since we've already planned out Santa's route inside. We are leaving our curtains open and the balcony door unlocked for Santa to get easy access to our Christmas tree and stockings. Back in bed, she suddenly realized that Santa will be landing on our house with his sleigh and LOTS of reindeer. Oops we only left one carrot! I explained that with all the stops Santa will be making tonight the reindeer will have lots of carrots and things to snack on so it's OK that they all share our one carrot. She decided that was fair. We are hoping the midnight Christmas fireworks Manila is known for don't wake our sleeping beauties for too long tonight. Now it's time for the grown ups to make some hot chocolate, turn on It's a Wonderful Life, and wait for Santa!