Friday, December 31, 2021

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES AND HAPPY NEW YEAR


On Christmas Eve Mark made a delicious Prime Rib and we had scalloped potatoes. We watched a few Christmas movies and it was a very nice day for us. We also had Roxy and Gracie here for a few hours.  When they picked them up James came in and played with the train for a little while. Then we noticed him walking with the Gingerbread house and he said "I built this!" It was so darn cute. 

We had a lovely Christmas Day with Adam, Gabby, and James. James was napping when we arrived. He definitely wanted to open presents when he woke up. However, he wanted every present to be his. He didn't understand that we all open presents and we watch each other open presents. 

He already had a lot of new gifts from Santa and other family members. He had zero interest in the bike we brought into the house. He certainly didn't care about clothes. One of our gifts didn't arrive here at the house but will be here for when they come over on New Year's Day. 

That is not James on the bike but it is what's know as a Balance Bike. We got it from Amazon. They learn to walk with there feet and balance that way. Then at some point you can snap the peddles out and he can ride the bike. They are for ages 2-5. No more training wheels. 

Little Tikes My First Balance-to-Pedal Training Bike for Kids in Green, Ages 2-5 Years


So we gave him a gift that Amber and Dylan bought for him and he was as happy as can be. Nothing else mattered. The rest of his day was about the recycle trash truck. He took pieces of wrapping paper and filled the truck with it! 

And no doubt he probably took it to bed that night. 

As it turned out, he also was fascinated with the little card with Santa on it that was on the package from his great grandmother, my mother in law. Had to get a picture for her! 

We really didn't take any other pictures on Christmas Day. We always forget to take pictures of ourselves. It was a perfect day and not much traffic on the road. We had our Lou Malnati's frozen pizza and an awesome salad. 

Earlier when we arrived we had a nice variety of snacks too! It was a perfect day and only wished that Amber and Dylan could have been there with all of us. 

They will be over on New Years Day so James can enjoy our decorations one more time and have fun with the train set. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

13 comments:

Ann said...

Sounds like a wonderful Christmas eve and day. I didn't open my own presents on Christmas eve since Presley was more than willing to do it for me.

MadSnapper said...

It sounds like you've already had two perfect days and you still have one more to go. So glad you were all together and that everything worked out well and that train shirt James has on his adorable. He is so cute! You're a building fond memories for the future to look back on

Sandi said...

That is a cool truck! 😊

Chatty Crone said...

What a wonderful Christmas it was for you. James is so cute.
Have to tell you the latest news - all four of us have come down with Covid.

betty said...

I had not heard of those balance bikes, Debby. How cool! We got the wee one a bike with training wheels a few months ago. Early Christmas present but with our weather only being "nice" a few months of the year to get practice on it we thought it was better to give it to him in October and let him enjoy learning how to ride it in the cooler months. I like the concept of the balance bike though!

I know James will get the routine of opening gifts in the years ahead. I like opening one gift at a time with people taking turns. We did that growing up and did it when the kids were growing up too. It is a nice tradition and makes gift opening last longer! That recycle truck from Amber/Dylan is cute! I can see why James was enthralled with it.

It sounded like you had a nice day! Hopefully one year maybe Amber/Dylan can come down to spend the holidays with you all!

Happy New Year to you and Mark and the rest of your family! May it be a kind year!

betty

Susan said...

Happy New Year Debby! Those pictures of James are so cute! Hopefully we can meet up sometime this year. If only Covid would go away!

Mevely317 said...

What a joy-filled post! I cracked up, imagining James' confusion when other people had presents to open, as well. I remember when my family used to take turns opening gifts - everyone watching, oohing and aawing. Little things like that mean a lot!

PS - I forgot to take any pictures at son's place, too!

CheerfulMonk said...

I love the idea of the balance bike. 😊 Happy New Year!

Michelle said...

Happy New Year, Debby.🎉

photowannabe said...

Precious memories for James and all of you.
Presents can be so confusing to the little guys. We used to open ours one at a time too.
I never heard of a balance bike. I'm sure James will get the hang of it and love it once the excitement of Christmas dies down and he can be outside riding the bike.
Happy New Year and thanks for bringing us up to date.
Sue

Carla from The River said...

Happy New Year!!!
Special memories.. how wonderful of a time.
Lots of Love,
Carla

Joyce said...

Sounds like a lovely holiday! Our older grandson got a balance bike when he was about two and it's amazing how quickly they learn to go. Makes so much more sense to teach them balance first, then how to pedal. Our generation had it backwards lol. Happy new year Debby!

The Feminine Energy said...

OMG, James looked as freakin' adorable as I thought he would, for Christmas! HE IS SO STINKIN' CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! James belongs in commercials, I swear. Happy New Year, Debby... may everything that's good be yours in 2022. ~Andrea xoxoxo

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