After weekend trips to Houston and Oklahoma to celebrate the season with family, we were home on Christmas Eve and Day so as to avoid any confusion for Santa. (For clarity’s sake–of course, is it more clear to give additional information? Seems to cloud the issue, eh?–Holly did take the kids to see her dad on Christmas Eve out on location on the far side of Ft. Worth, and we did all have desserts that evening at Holly’s cousin’s.)
Anyway, sheesh. By Christmas morning, there were plenty of presents under the tree, the stockings were stuffed (in fact, overstuffed), and Santa had left a Wii for all the kids (me included?). Emma and Layla were up first riffling through their stockings, and then they headed off to awaken Madysen and Speed to get the show on the road.
At 6 a.m.; how am I the first one up?
For whatever reason, Layla is combing through Madysen's stocking excess
Stocking hysteria in action
Once Holly emerged, it was time for the main attraction with Emma and Layla doling out the presents a la Santa.
You have a lot of donuts presents
The wrapping paper carnage was high and deep.
The rest of the day was full of leisure–some taking naps even–getting acquainted with new Webkinz, Ripsticks, Scooters, lacrosse gear, camera, iMac, etc. (And I Can Play Guitar and I Can Play Piano that did work–even the two additional ones we both the following day.) But the Wii drew everyone together. Layla quickly set herself apart as the best bowler (and looks like a good golfer too). Emma is an enthusiastic tennis player. Speed takes boxing most seriously. And I whipped Madysen is a game of baseball. Holly abstained.
But one present that didn’t make it under the tree was Rock Band–a Guitar Hero plus game–that combines a guitar, drum kit, and karaoke. I found it the following day, and the Wii has been largely forgotten. Even Holly has played both guitar and drum. Singers we are not–though I have scored 100% on several songs. And Layla and Emma are getting quite good. Rock Band–if I may borrow from Chuck Klosterman for a moment–ROCKS!
Emma on drums (with Madysen on kick pedal) and Layla on guitar
In that one picture with Holly, is she presaging a little guitar action?
It does kind of look like it, but I think she’s eating a piece of fudge (at 9 a.m.!) and telling Speed to be quiet.
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