Christmas Eve was low key. We went to the candlelight service at our church. Of course, I brought, snacks and toys, but Molly Caroline didn't sit as nicely as she did last year. :) She was loud! So for most of the service she ran around the lobby with 5 or so other little boys that were also loud! She had a blast! We ended up going back in to sing a song and light the candles. She was actually great during this!
We came home ate soup and made Christmas cookies. After that, we pulled Molly Caroline in her wagon over to our neighbors house...we brought them cookies, soup, and visited for just a bit.
After Molly Caroline went to bed, we straightened up and set everything out! SO much fun!!! Thankfully, "Santa" didn't have to assemble anything Christmas Eve, because "he" had been working on the toys in advance (also thanks to some great friends of ours who helped with her kitchen)!!! Then we made Christmas morning breakfast casserole, so we could just pop it in the oven before we started opening presents.
I was so excited that I kept waking up throughout the night. I woke up at 7, plugged everything in, preheated the oven, and was able to have a quiet moment to sit and think about the meaning of Christmas and our year. It was so nice and peaceful! Molly Caroline and Matt woke up around 7:45! It was so sweet to watch her go to each toy that Santa brought her. She had the sweetest little smile when we told her that Santa came! She first went to her slide, then her alphabet blocks, and then her kitchen. She didn't tear into the paper like I thought she would. But she definitely liked all of her little gifts and her stocking. :) I think the slide, trike, piano, and pacifiers in her stocking were her favorites!
We were packed and headed to Dublin to spend Christmas with my family by lunchtime. We ate an Italian Christmas dinner and then opened gifts with my parents, brother, and sister in law. She loved that too and was definitely spoiled! Then we spent the next few days being lazy in Dublin. It was great!
Since we've been back home, we've been enjoying staying in our pajamas, playing with all of her new toys, and doing some organizing. Sadly, I will probably take down our Christmas decorations tomorrow. I have loved our real tree and every single thing about this season.
