Some things will never ever change.
Like the way we do Christmas morning in our home. I pray that we'll do it this same way every single year until we don't have little ones to run into the room with sparkling eyes. And then I picture Scott and I still happy and content; sipping our tea and watching years and years or unedited, in full Christmas mornings because we've taped every single one start to finish.
The tradition of piles of Santa gifts; that will never change.
Or the way it has to be just so; the way only Santa could set it all up like magic. We're inspired by the 1994 version of Miracle on 34th street. You know the part at the end of the movie when the little girl in the sweet coat runs into the house she's sure Santa left her new family? And there's that living room with the piles of Santa presents. I go back to that seen to get it in my head each year to try to do it just like Hollywood.
They way they hold hand when they walk into the room
Swishing nightgowns, satin and lace, too long so they seem even more little.
And how they lock eyes on that "big, main gift" that's always not wrapped and built by the elves.
(after they saw their main gift this is the way they looked for quite a while.. it was a hit!)
We love the tradition of presents that 'keep them little' and avoid all things that take batteries or that have to charge in the wall. Yuck!
(Yes, that really is her face when she opened those golden books. She, herself, on her own when she was three told us that she had a "golden book collection" with only a few books... we've added to it since then... how she loves her little golden books)
Owl houses, another huge hit!
It's just not Christmas without a doll furniture here in this house!
We stop and watch and soak it in.
Another collection of baby lovies.. she has a ton!
Anna loved this one.. and it was a high tech as I'll ever go till she's 20... a cute little heart doorbell for her room... you'd think Santa gave her an i-something or other.. what are those things that other ten year olds want?
They take their time and we have to break for breakfast.
Oven baked french toast and we take the time to light candles and set the table pretty.
We are grateful for this most magical morning when time seems to stand still and we are a little family; together.
"You took so good care of me so I gave you this"
Sister to sister gift.
She loved it Anna
Loved watching Abigail giving daddy her gift to him.
I wouldn't want it any other way. I'm a girl of tradition and some things will just never, ever change.
And the face of the day...:)
Merry Christmas Anna Jiang Qian and Abigail Mei; you brought us so very much joy.
I can feel the magic of Christmas morning in your beautiful pictures. You can see the love you have for your family.
ReplyDeleteOh how I would love to spend and afternoon with you....
I think that it's GREAT that you don't do electronics. Just this past week I've heard of 4 year olds getting ipods and kindle fires and tablets of some kind. I got my iphone just last year, but I had one of those minute phones when I was in 7th grade, and I got my ipod when I was 12 or 13 I think. It's good that you keep with dolls and such. I have some bitty baby things if Abigail wants them. email me if you are interested alexandra11tennyson@gmail.com
ReplyDelete[I came across your blog because I'm adopted and love hearing about other families that adopt. I am 17 years old and a junior in high school] I hope you had a mery christmas spent with these ones and your families.
These pictures are absolutely magical and make me so excited to make Christmas this special for our kids! I love the sweet note from Abigail too! :)
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