Happy Birthday Ryan!

From 2008_12_19

Hold still for the camera!

2nd Christmas

Anna keeps asking for her second Christmas. While Kurt's family was visiting this past weekend, we had a great mini-Christmas for the three kids- Ryan, Anna and Silvia. They each got a few presents and we adults were able to sit back and just enjoy the delight and excitement that only young children seem to glow with on that most-anticipated of holidays.

Opa took them all up to the playroom so that Santa could come with their goodies and then they came boiling down the stairs, running straight for the tree. Silvia's reaction was my favorite. She simply walked up, grabbed the nearest package to hand and brought it to me, ordering firmly, "OPEN IT, Mama. OPEN." It was for Ryan, but that didn't seem to slow her down at all.

At some point, we must have said that this was the 1st Christmas so we could celebrate with our family. Now Anna is very confused and adamant that it is now time for the 2nd Christmas. She comes home from school-"Is it 2nd Christmas yet"? Or the same after dinner every night, after any brief naps she might condescend to take. "Is it? Now?"

I sure hope we don't have to expect a 3rd or 4th Christmas after the 25th.