Christmas Morning

We experienced our first year of "very early wake-up" on Christmas morning.

5:15 a.m.  

It was still dark out.  Matt and I were startled awake by shrills from upstairs.

Matt's response was "they need to back back to bed for a while."  While, remembering back to the many years my brother and I woke my parents before daylight, I responded with, "it's Christmas, they are excited, let's let them open presents!"

The beauties and I outranked Daddy, and the gift opening was on!

 Farrah was very excited about her giraffe socks.

 Jocelyn of course sporting penguins.

 Silvie in her cheetahs.

 Chloe smiling in her giraffes.

 Silvie took so much time and caution opening each of her gifts.  She savored ever moment.  Studying, admiring and loving her presents.

 Santa brought each of the Beauties new ice skates!  The triplets cannot wait to skate like their big sissy. 

 Farrah with her Farrah Fawcett barbie.

 The Kaya doll....oh how badly she wanted this doll. 

 Chloe and Silvie showing off the gifts they picked out for each other.

 Chloe and Farrah showing off their gifts for each other.

 Chloe wanting to pose with Jocey, she wasn't in the the camera...

Daddy's holiday tie...it sings Jingle Bells.

The Beauties picked it out for him at the Dollar Store.  Priceless.

After the gifts were open...somehow, Daddy talked them into going back to bed before we headed out to Grammy and Poppy's.  They actually slept for almost 2 hours.  I was amazed...and thankful for the nap.

Ready for Santa

 Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, the beauties were stirring, but thank goodness...no mouse.

 Sweet so longs to their elf-friend Crystal.  Knowing she will be heading back to the Northpole with Santa, until we are graced with her presence this time next year.  Proud of their cookies and pictures and trinkets...left under the tree for the guy with the beard.

 They have been mostly nice.  Trying hard not to be naughty...

 The stockings hung on the mantle with care.

Dear Santa,

Please take care of Crystal, 

she has been a good friend.

We cannot wait for her return next year

until then...

The End

Uh-Oh...Mommy has the camera again

The countdown to Christmas is on.

Our precious little beauties are prepped and ready.

Of course we have to sneak in the holiday card photo shoot.

I have said it before...and I will say it again...

Photo-shoots are always full of entertainment at our house.  There is always one stick in the mud camera shy beauty in the group.  Most often, it's miss Jocelyn.  However, today...It was miss Farrah.  She was less than thrilled about taking a group photo.  She wanted to be in the picture alone with the singing hallmark snowman.  I, as you guessed, wanted a picture of my four girls sans singing hallmark snowman.

Here is the series of events.

 I was able to get in two good photos before "the meltdown."

 As we see here...Farrah begins crawling away from her sisters.  She is coming to get the singing hallmark snowman.  Which is on the table behind me.

 And...Farrah is out of the shot, at my feet.  I use the "you're going to be sad when Mommy takes a really good picture to share with everyone and you're not in it" tactic.  It of course does not work.  She makes it clear that she could care less.

 Here we have full blown tantrum in the side view of the photo.  Complete with kicking.  Oh yes, I said kicking.  I now pull out the "Santa is watching you" tactic.  Yep, you guessed it.  She does not care if Santa is watching.  She is NOT getting in that photo.

 Chloe with the "Mommy is getting flustered, I better smile look" 

Jocelyn telling Farrah (with her eyes) to get into the picture so Mommy doesn't cry.  

I will also point out...Jocelyn is IN the picture!

 Silvie swoops in to Farrah's rescue.  What does she bring?  The singing hallmark snowman.

She consoles her for several minutes.  Giving kisses and love.  Trying to convince her to just "suck it up sister."

 Silvie is over that.  She wants her picture taken.  She's not afraid to ham it up for Mommy's camera!

 Neither is Jocelyn.  Ham it up Baby Girl!

 Chloe-girl making sure she takes part in the pretty posing contest.

 Oh my sweet Farrah.  Had to share this one,  even crying and mid tantrum, you are beautiful.

One day, you will thank Mommy for capturing this...one day when you have children, and they will not pose for your "silly" photo-shoots.

Oh Jocelyn...Mommy loves it when you smile!