Monday was a long day. I worked from home to get a signature required delivery and spent the day chasing a root cause that was not well represented by the shown error. The delivery? Showed up a little after 3. I brought the kids to the indoor playground, after dinner. Due to how late the day was getting I figured we’d try eating first in hopes of getting them a little more time to play. After last week they needed the time out. It didn’t work out so well. After we made it home Cecilia picked a new show, Kate and Mim-mim.
Heather read Cecilia Counting Christmas and I saw Santa for Gideon while I read them both the latest book that Gideon made at school.

Tuesday Heather brought the kids straight to the indoor playground and I made dinner for when they got home. After dinner we got to see The Little Drummer Boy courtesy of Gideon.
I read the kids a class book that Gideon brought home.
Heather read Cecilia Little Critters I Just Forgot and Gideon Friendly Beasts (probably) from a Christmas Story Collection we have.

Wednesday I went in for a half day of work, but Heather took the day off to spend with the kids. They were able to ride their bikes around outside while she cleaned the van. Bike riding, Christmas Eve, in Minnesota. Yeah. Anyhow, we visited the church we met at for the Christmas Eve service and saw a lot of people we used to know much better. Our evening show was How The Grinch Stole Christmas as a family movie. We left out cookies and milk, as well as carrots and “reindeer food.” (Gideon told us that it was oatmeal.)
Gideon didn’t want a story though. He was ready to go to sleep. It was a combination of exhaustion and excitement. In fact, usually we leave his door open until he falls asleep, but tonight he wanted it closed because “Santa’s not supposed to see me.”
Cecilia asked me to read her Very Hungry Caterpillar. I’m not sure if she had Heather read to her as well, but she probably did.

Thursday was Christmas of course. Gideon was up around 5:20. Cecilia at 6:30. Grandma’s house was at 11ish. The kids loved all their gifts of course. Gideon even passed on part of Amazing Race for the night to play with a new toy. (Not telling which one though!) Cecilia picked Doc McStuffins for the night. The kids got jammies on and watched the show without a lot of fighting. I’m pretty sure they were exhausted and ready for bed.
Gideon’s stories were from his new collection of Fly Guy stories.
Cecilia’s stories included me reading her the same Fly Guy book I read Gideon as well as Heather reading her a new Otis book.

Friday we were all home and relaxing a little. We had family showing up the next day and a full week off coming up. (Technically that night, but the last flight in.) Of course the kids were on day three of getting up early. If these were school days the kids probably would have tried to sleep in another hour or two. Gideon picked the Grinch cartoon.
Both kids are now on a Fly Guy kick and had us each read them one of those stories.

Saturday Grandma and Grandpa Reed had settled in for a visit, and brought uncle Jon with them. This of course meant the kids got to have another Christmas present session. Gideon was much better about others opening presents and not needing them all to be for him this time. Most of the day was filled with playing and relaxing. Cecilia asked for a Sopiha the First that she hadn’t seen before.
Cecilia had Grandma read her a special “I Spy” style book with pictures of her in it. Then Grandpa read her Big Snowman Little Snowman.
Gideon had Uncle Jon read him a fly guy book followed by me reading him another one.

Sunday meant time to start restoring normalcy to the environment. Yes, decorations came down. This went fairly quickly. After this was lunch and then a little bit of the return game, only for duplicate gifts though. It was a surprisingly quick experience this time around. In retrospect doing it during the end of a Vikings game that was soon to be followed by a Packers game probably helped. We also went to Buffalo Wild Wings so the out-of-town guests could see most of the Broncos game. Gideon picked Octonauts once we made it home.
Gideon had Uncle Jon and Grandpa both read him Fly Guy books again.
Cecilia had Grandma and Heather read to her, but I have no idea what.