the paquettes

Christmas Eve

Christmas morning and Rilyn woke up on the bossy side of the bed! She wanted to make sure she was first walking down the hallway! I have no clue who she gets that from! 😉

Me first guys!

I love the difference in Ella and Asher’s expressions as they see the tree with the presents and Jesus birthday decorations up.

What’s a birthday without party horns?

Asher loved the cake!

After birthday cake for Jesus for breakfast, we went through our stockings!

a present for me?!?

Both the girls wanted sleeping masks this year-what divas!  Ella was pretending to be a panda here.

Rilyn wanted a spin art thing this year so she was pretty excited when she got it!

We got Asher this 2 wheel bike that is supposed to help him balance (Lord knows he needs that!) but it was an inch too tall, so I think we will bring it out again for his birthday this spring. He won’t remember he got it for Christmas! 😉

Leapster Explorers were the girls ‘want’ present this year.

I had a wonderful Christmas and I received thoughtful gifts such as a photography class and a photography magazine subscription from James! I got a new lens from my parents and a cute camera strap too! I, unfortunately, spent all of my creative energy on the Jesse tree this year, (making 25 ornaments is hard work!) so all I got James was clothes. Very boring, but I had good intentions. Maybe Valentine’s Day?!?

I wish that sweet line in my post title was said by one of my children at the mall when seeing the line for Santa, but nope! I stole it from a somewhat cheesy song (but the message is good!).  I’ve explained before that we don’t celebrate Santa at our house.  I found a great blog post from Noel Piper, (John Piper’s wife) about why they don’t do Santa either, and she writes way better than me, so check it out!

Even though we don’t believe in Santa at our house, I don’t try to hide Santa from them!  After all, fairy tales are fun to read and imagine!  So, off we went to take our annual Santa picture.  My two girls were prepped NOT to say “You aren’t real” or anything of that nature around other kids in line.  When it was their turn to take a picture, they stood right next to Santa, said not a word, smiled and then they walked away.  The guy next in line asked me, “Don’t your kids want to tell Santa what they want for Christmas?”  I just smiled.  I guess my kids had better things to do then talk to some guy they don’t know about something he doesn’t care about!  (I didn’t say that of course!)

No crying this year!  But Asher looks a little confused…

I think I like this guy!