Holiday season! (3 of 4)

Christmas!

Christmas morning, we all went downstairs to find that Santa Claus had come!  Madeline distributed the stockings.

She and Oliver found lots of fun stuff.

We took a break for breakfast: leftover apple-gingerbread crumble from the night before and kringle from Grandma Mandy and Grandpa Paul.

Then it was time to open gifts.  There were lots of highlights.  Here are a few:

Santa brought Oliver a drum.

Uncle Matt sent Uncle Marc a crazy horse mask.

Aunt Sarah sent Madeline a tiger.

Uncle Alex sent Oliver a kitty.

Grandma Susy and Grandpa John sent Oliver a car and its occupants.

Uncle Matt sent Madeline an owl-themed superhero costume.

Grandma Mandy and Grandpa Paul sent Oliver a baby doll.

He said, "Baby! Baby!" and gave it a kiss.

Uncle Matt also made sure superhero Madeline had a suitable sidekick.

By afternoon, the massive responsibility incumbent on any superhero was beginning to weigh on Madeline.

After all, even when dressed up for Christmas dinner, she took her duties very seriously.

Meanwhile, Summer set a fancy table -- the inaugural use of our china!

And everyone gathered round ...

... for a feast of prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, and Brussels sprouts with a bacon cream sauce.  Yum.

We finished it off with miniature walnut-chocolate tortes.  Also yum.

After dinner, everyone felt like this:

The kiddos were very tired.

But they willingly posed for a couple of holiday family pictures ...

... before heading up to bed.

Holiday season! (2 of 4)

Christmas Eve!

Uncle Marc had arrived the evening before, and on the morning of the 24th he read to the kiddos.

Then, despite the gray, we went down to Newport to take in some of the Cliff Walk.

We paused at Salve Regina University to run (and sit) around a bit.

We found a blocking sled.  Madeline decided to give it a try.

This exhausted her.

Back at home, there was accelerating interest in the presents under the tree.

In the evening, we really kicked off the festive mood with a fancy dinner.  The kiddos had a special sparkling cherry juice ...

... and we all had a delicious New England clambake with littlenecks, mussels, and kielbasa.  Yum.

After dinner, it was time to hang stockings.

Summer read The Night Before Christmas.

Then, before bed, Madeline decided she wanted to write a note to Santa Claus.

It says: "Thank you.  I love you.  Can you get toys for me?"

To make sure Santa got the message, she labeled her note: "READ."

Then we set it out with cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for Santa's reindeer.

Then it was time for bed.  The kiddos got special new pajamas from Santa's elves ...

... and they excitedly went to bed.

Holiday season! (1 of 4)

This is the first and shortest of four posts that'll take us through the holidays and finally catch up to the present.

On December 17, Oliver turned 16 months old.

Characteristically, he was pleased by this.

He has his own peculiar way of celebrating.

On December 18, Summer took Madeline to Small Point Cafe in downtown Providence while I finished up at work.  Madeline adorned the wall.

The 19th was Madeline's last day of school before Christmas break.  She celebrated by playing on the school playground.

We've implemented seafood Saturdays.  For the 20th we made the call to go to Iggy's. Madeline put together her best hipster ensemble ...

... and off we went to await chowder, clam cakes, and doughboys.

The next couple days were pretty slow.  There was some excitement on the 23rd, when we set out presents under the tree ...

... but the household energy level really picked up the next day -- Christmas Eve.