Christmas Traditions - Dinner Out

For the last 4 years, we have been going out for dinner on Christmas day. Today we went to one of our favorite places - Legal Seafood. The kids love getting popcorn shrimp but Matt has recently decided that I have to take all the breading off before he'll eat the shrimp. This time I got smart and actually asked if they could just give him a portion of grilled shrimp that would be equal to the popcorn shrimp kids meal. Let me tell you Matt downed that shrimp and I enjoyed having "clean" hands. Emily has been eating only small portions of food the last few weeks as her two lateral incisors are loose making eating a little uncomfortable. It was very yummy food and great company!!

Christmas Traditions - Gingerbread "Something"

Each year we buy a gingerbread kit that Dave "creates" with the kids. Last year we did a gingerbread village, the year prior 2 full sized gingerbread houses. This year Dave found a gingerbread train. Dave & Matt made the "structure" of the train and Emily assisted on the decorating portion. It turned out great!!!

Christmas Traditions - Feeding the Reindeer & Santa

We try to make sure that the reindeer and Santa make it to our house and are well fed when they leave. The kids spread panko bread crumbs with glitter on the lawn closest to the chimney for the reindeer to see and eat - the glitter sparkles by the light of Rudolph's nose directing them to our house. While the reindeer were outside eating, Santa got to feast on Fat Boy's Outrageous chocolate chunk cookies that we baked just a few hours before and egg nog - Emily's favorite holiday drink. By the way, the cookie dough is from Whole Foods and is like they say "outrageous". We had extra cookies we got to sample..... wink, wink!!!

We're Back!

Do not adjust your computer. I am back to blogging. I've started with Christmas day and am heading back to let you know what we've been up to. So, be prepared to do some reading.

Christmas Traditions - Pajamas

Growing up my family opened all our presents Christmas Eve night while Dave's family opened presents Christmas day. When Dave & I got married, we had to decide what we would do as a family. So, we made it that we could open one present on Christmas Eve which usually ended up being the Christmas ornament my mom sends each year. Prior to Emily being born, I heard of this tradition and "borrowed" it for our family. On Christmas Eve, the kids open their present of new pajamas which they wear to bed and open their presents in Christmas morning. This was the first year that the whole family had matching pajamas. Usually, Dave & I would get new pajamas but never ones that matched the kids.