Life, and All That Surrounds It

Christmas was really fun this year. And I assume it will only get better in future years. This was Hannah's third Christmas but the first where she sort of got it. She knew that Santa was coming to bring presents (even if she was slightly afraid of him whenever we saw him). She knew she was getting into her "Christmas princess" dress to go to a party (even if she was a little overwhelmed by aunts, uncles, and cousins when we got there). And she knew that it had something to do with Baby Jesus (she does love babies).

Christmas eve we went to church with Nana and Papa where Hannah was so well behaved. We sat close to the front so she could see what was going on and she did great. She didn't really get into the singing or bell ringing (she had brought her jingle bell to participate) but she was mesmerized by the nativity scene and spent time afterward getting a closer look at Baby Jesus.

We spent Christmas Eve with Jeanne's extended family and Hannah had a blast trying to keep up with her 4- and 5-year-old cousins. She also got to be the "big" girl to her cousin Jillian who is all of 6 months younger. Hannah does an a great job of playing both roles, although keeping up with the big kids always holds her attention longer.

When Santa show up, she had overcome her fear and immediately went over to him to sit on his lap, even backing toward his knee to make it easier for the big guy to lift her up. But everyone's laughter and a closer look made her shy and she quickly got down without telling him what she really wanted (fortunately Santa figured it out anyways).

She was up late on Christmas Eve but I still expected her to be up promptly on Christmas morning. Instead she slept in until after 10! This was the one indication that she doesn't totally get it and I have a feeling in future years we'll all be getting up much earlier.

She did great opening presents, she is very methodical in taking off bows and ribbons before digging into the wrapping paper. The hard part for her was putting one toy down to move on to the next present. At one point I really thought we would have to put on the Snow White DVD before she would continue (we managed to distract her with another present). The day continued with her cousins and grandparents and more presents and all in all it was a great day.

Showing her excitement at a new present:

Having not grown up with Christmas I had never really seen it through a child before. I think I'm starting to get what all the excitement is about because it's really special to see a kid so excited about the holiday. She loved the tree, the songs, the lights as we drove around, the presents, the idea of Santa, snowmen and elves and other new creatures, and just all of "Christmas time" (as she called it). It was fun to see her enthusiasm and I think the next couple years will be even more.

She had more fun planned over the weekend as she got to stay with my parents and sister for the night on Saturday while Jeanne and I got a rare night out at the movies (we saw Up in the Air which we highly recommend). Hannah loved her time with Gramps (as she was calling him) and Nana and Leah and barely noticed we were gone. It's great to see her connecting with both sets of parents so much; growing up with grandparents close-by is something that neither Jeanne or I grew up with and it's special for us to see this relationship growing.

Photos from the holiday: