Big E and Miss A loved counting down to Christmas day. It went something like this, "Sunday, Monday, Christmas Eve, Christmas!" Having Mom and Dad here made the day much more special. And Steve went to great lengths to have things under the tree that I didn't know about. Last year I knew what everything under the tree was, except maybe one thing. So it really took the excitement out of it. But we had a magical day. Big E showed interest in Santa and who he "is" and what he does. So we did Santa this year. We set out pumpkin roll and egg nog for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer.
Steve woke up before everyone and had a surprise breakfast waiting for everyone, fruit, nuts and juice. I actually woke up before the kids and had to wait for them to wake up. I'm not sure that's going to happen again any time too soon. :)
We didn't open presents right away. We all got to "open" our stockings and the kids played with the cars and trinkets that were in them. Both of the kids got chocolate reindeer and a santa. Miss A decided to unwrap all of her reindeer at once.
But we had to wait until 7 am to call my sister who is serving a mission in Japan and we didn't want to interrupt the present opening for the kids. So we covered "Santa's" gifts (which traditionally in my house were almost never wrapped) with a sheet and waited until after the phone call. It was great to be able to be in on the conversation. She is doing great. Here we are talking to Jessica via Skype, and no, it was not a video call. :(
After talking to my sister, we then opened presents. Big E got a new bike and helmet, a noisy dump truck, and some books.
Miss A got a stroller for her doll (I frequently have to reminder her that it is for her doll and not for her to sit in. It's just the right size for her.), a shopping basket full of play food, and an old school play stove.
It was fun to watch them open the gifts. Miss A loved to crawl under the tree to get the gifts. She and Big E would hand them out to everyone.
After Christmas we went to the Souq. Mom loved it. She found a beautiful necklace and vases. Dad found a cool looking knife that didn't have a real blade. :/ But it still looks cool.
We also had lunch at the Souq.
We toured Fanar, which is a mosque that is open to the public to come and have a tour and learn more about Islam. Mom and I had to wear the Abaya to go in.
We went to the Museum of Islamic Art. Steve took the kids to the park that is near there while I took Mom and Dad in. They only saw two floors of the 3 or 4. You'd need a whole day to see everything. Or to walk through faster.
We also went to the singing sand dunes with some friends from the ward. We had fun making the dune hum and playing in the sand. We had a picnic lunch on the dune and then went home.
Steve woke up before everyone and had a surprise breakfast waiting for everyone, fruit, nuts and juice. I actually woke up before the kids and had to wait for them to wake up. I'm not sure that's going to happen again any time too soon. :)
We didn't open presents right away. We all got to "open" our stockings and the kids played with the cars and trinkets that were in them. Both of the kids got chocolate reindeer and a santa. Miss A decided to unwrap all of her reindeer at once.
But we had to wait until 7 am to call my sister who is serving a mission in Japan and we didn't want to interrupt the present opening for the kids. So we covered "Santa's" gifts (which traditionally in my house were almost never wrapped) with a sheet and waited until after the phone call. It was great to be able to be in on the conversation. She is doing great. Here we are talking to Jessica via Skype, and no, it was not a video call. :(
After talking to my sister, we then opened presents. Big E got a new bike and helmet, a noisy dump truck, and some books.
Miss A got a stroller for her doll (I frequently have to reminder her that it is for her doll and not for her to sit in. It's just the right size for her.), a shopping basket full of play food, and an old school play stove.
It was fun to watch them open the gifts. Miss A loved to crawl under the tree to get the gifts. She and Big E would hand them out to everyone.
After Christmas we went to the Souq. Mom loved it. She found a beautiful necklace and vases. Dad found a cool looking knife that didn't have a real blade. :/ But it still looks cool.
We also had lunch at the Souq.
We toured Fanar, which is a mosque that is open to the public to come and have a tour and learn more about Islam. Mom and I had to wear the Abaya to go in.
We went to the Museum of Islamic Art. Steve took the kids to the park that is near there while I took Mom and Dad in. They only saw two floors of the 3 or 4. You'd need a whole day to see everything. Or to walk through faster.
We also went to the singing sand dunes with some friends from the ward. We had fun making the dune hum and playing in the sand. We had a picnic lunch on the dune and then went home.
The break went by way to fast. I can't believe that Mom and Dad have been home for over a month now. But that does mean that next Christmas is that much closer. This year for Christmas, we will be in the States, spending one week with the Stay side of the family and another week with my side. I can't wait. :)
2 comments:
I loved that "noisy dump truck" part! haha! Too bad there is not a sand box where he can play with it, then it would be outside.
Love reliving each minute through the pictures though.
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