This was a really fun age to celebrate Christmas with Lyla. She really got the anticipation leading up to Christmas and was so excited to wake up on Christmas morning (and Christmas Eve morning) to open presents.
We opened up presents at our house on Christmas Eve morning because we were spending Christmas Eve night and Christmas morning at my parents' house. We went to sleep the night before and promised her that Santa was coming to bring her gifts. Not that she really understands, but we told her Santa comes early for New York City kids. The smart little bugger nearly blew the Christmas secret when she noticed the wrapping paper under the tree was the same wrapping paper that had been sitting in my bedroom for the last couple of weeks. "It's not a telescope anymore, it's a present!" It didn't seem to distract her from the task at hand -- presents. I know at some age she will just rip through all of the wrapping to see all of her presents, at least for this year she was really thoughtful about her gifts. She marveled at each gift before moving on to the next. Santa #1 brought her a cash register, some new blocks, a horse, play dough and lots of craft supplies (including lots and lots of glitter). My present was a new camera (which explains the not-so great photos -- I haven't exactly figured out how to work it yet) and Mark got a new Kindle.
Jumping up and down at the site of the lit tree surrounded by presents.
(There was obviously no time to brush hair before opening presents...)
After presents we made our favorite breakfast -- eggs in a hole (Lyla just ate the hole) and over-priced Farmer's Market bacon -- and relaxed in the sea of wrapping paper that took over the apartment.
One of Lyla's stocking stuffers was a set of glitter nail polish. Mark scored points for letting her try it out on his toes. His first pedicure!
She always has her tongue out when she is focused.
Later that afternoon, we made our way to Long Beach to celebrate with my family. We had lobster tails for Christmas Eve dinner with my parents and Nana.
Dina and her family came over Christmas morning and to Lyla' great thrill, the boys had on the same reindeer pajamas.
Christmas socks
Santa came later that morning to give out presents to the kids. Lyla was happy to accept the presents but loathe to get too close to Santa.
This was the closest she got.
Except when she had to swoop in for a present.
The two standouts from Santa -- a microphone and Hungry, Hungry Hippo. We literally could not get Lyla off the mic all day. From Twinkle Twinkle, to Three Little Birds, we heard her whole songbook throughout the day.
Later that night, we gathered for dinner, where more hungry hippo was played.
Mark and I in our best plaids :)
Lyla likely bossing someone around here.
Playing guess what I am.
Christmas cookies from Uncle Jack and Aunt Sandy
And that's a wrap on Christmas 2011!
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