I guess I didn't realize how Grinch-y both Sean and I had become about Christmas. Of course we have always enjoyed decorating our house and getting together with family, but more often than not, we would comment on the over-commercialization of Christmas, sneer at Christmas music that began playing on the radio a week before Thanksgiving, or avoid the aisles of Menards that became a Christmas wonderland shortly after Halloween. But something changed us a little bit this year, and I suspect that something is about three feet tall and LOVES Christmas. I knew things were different when I borrowed Sean's car prior to Thanksgiving and found his radio tuned to Christmas music...
This was the first year that Wes had a good grasp of Christmas. From the minute he tasted a candy cane, he was is Christmas heaven. He never grew tired of rearranging the bulbs on our tree, driving past overly decorated houses, or speculating what was inside every wrapped box we passed at a store. Everything about Christmas was exciting to him, and it was evident that this kiddo had discovered the magic of Christmas. And as parents, it's hard to observe all of this and not have your own hearts grow a size or two as well.
One of Wes' favorite things to do was to drive past (stalk?) the "silly lights" in our neighborhood that were synchronized to music. We spent a lot of time watching the lights flash while Wes sat in the backseat in wonderment. We even took our wagon and portable radio and walked to them one warm evening. In the end, I think we were almost as sad as Wes to see them turn off after the new year began.
Wes has been so anxious for snow, and although he would have loved a white Christmas, he and the pups made do with what we had.
The local hardware stores do a great job of helping everyone get into the holiday spirit by having weekend work sessions for kids themed around winter. Wes and Grandpa Miller made both a light-up Christmas train at Lowes and a mini-sled at the Home Depot.
I spent one Saturday afternoon with my friend Sarah at a holiday wine and painting event. After I brought my painting home, Wes insisted on making one of his own. I dug out an old canvas and some finger paint, and Wes slipped into right-brain mode. As evidenced once again, his tongue will always tell us if he's really focused on a task!
Our first Christmas celebration was at Grandma and Grandpa Mullins' house in Springfield. Wes loved the company of his grandparents, his new toy train, and their poor, unsuspecting cat.
We went to Grandma and Grandma Miller's house on Christmas Eve and had a quiet dinner and opened a few presents. Wes loves his new Paw Patrol lookout tower.
After a bath and bedtime story at home on Christmas Eve, we prepped for Santa's arrival.
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| Checking on our favorite water tower ornament made by our good friend Noah. |
Bear and Maisy were glad to be on Santa lookout. They lasted about 10 minutes before they got sleepy too.
Santa did find our house, enjoyed his cookie (this is still the weird part to Wes), and left some surprises under the tree.
A few days before Christmas, Wes decided that he wanted a toy shave kit he had seen at the store. I told him we would put it on his list for Santa and see what happened. Santa got the memo.
The day after Christmas, my siblings and their spouses arrived to celebrate. Wes adores his aunts and uncles, and we had a great time together.
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| Problem solving with Uncle Brian |
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| Showing Aunt Stephanie how to use the cookie cutters |
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| Adding some sparkle with Aunt Jodi |
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| Being three |
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| Top (from left to right): Nate, Stephanie, Bear, Grandpa, Grandma, Jodi, Brian Bottom: Sean, Maisy, Kristy, Wesley |
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