Monday, December 28, 2015

Christmas Eve

Helen Grace began Christmas Eve (Thursday) with the sweetest gift for us. She woke up early, dressed herself, brushed her teeth and hair, and was cleaning up her room when I found her. Wow!

The weather was record-setting warm that day (up to the low 70s), so we called the Browns, gathered up Addie, and headed to the zoo for some sun and fresh air. And whatdoyaknow? The zoo was CLOSED! We were so shocked and sad. We made the best of it though and headed to Overton Park with Sonic for a picnic, and the girls had a big time running off some steam. Addie was convinced she was going to follow HG around too and made it up the rope ladder with some help from John. (And he had to climb up the other side to get her down too!)

Afterward, we dropped Addie off at her house, and then we came home, got in our pjs, and climbed in mama’s bed for some nice down time. We rallied that night for the candlelight service at Bubba’s church, which HG remembered how (and was excited about) she got to run around afterward last year. She also remembered the hot wax from the candle last year and wasn’t sure if she wanted to hold one, but her stubborness won out and she held her own candle with no problems this year. And of course, she ran around like crazy with the boys after the service.

Then, we headed to Grandma’s to open presents in front of the fire (which was totally unnecessary with the high temps but Jeanne knows I love). We had a wonderful time with a few tears (Jeanne gave me a Pandora bracelet of Peg’s, as well as several gifts for us that Peg had chosen months ago) but lots of laughs and hugs.

When HG started asking for milk and curling up in her chair, we knew it was time for bed. We headed home to sprinkle reindeer food and leave cookies (and a letter) for Santa. She fell asleep cuddled up against me in Mama’s bed, and all was right with the world.

Who is this cleaning up little girl??

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Playing at Overton Park

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Candlelight service at Byhalia UMC

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This is the way John finally had to get her out of the church.

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Grandma’s by candlelight too

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Time for reindeer food

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Letter to Santa

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