Christmas Memories Part 4

How's the shopping going? Only 10 days to Christmas!

As the cats were letting me know at 4:30 a.m. that they were out of food, I got to thinking about Christmas mornings past.

We used to wake up so early on Christmas morning. Any other day of the year you probably had to drag us out of bed. Especially if it was a school day! My children are the same way. I remember telling them not to come get us until the digital clock said at least 6:30. Truth be told I think I was ready to get up the minute I heard them stirring. I was as excited as they were. You know I think I know now why Santa always visited Devin's family on Christmas Eve! His parents just wanted to get some sleep! I digress. I remember a Christmas long ago when Wade, Lori, and I were the only ones still at home. I had to be about 9 and we still lived at the old farmhouse. Wade came to wake me up so that I could wake Mom and Dad. I guess since I was the youngest, it was safe for me to wake them up so early. I know it was still dark outside and felt like the middle of the night. Until Mom and Dad were up you could only open your stocking goodies. We didn't get to open the presents from Santa until they were with us. The anticipation was half the excitement. Did Santa get what was on your list? I've kept the same tradition with my kids. They are to only touch their stockings until Devin and I are with them. When Kristen was really little we would set up the video camera the night before so that all we had to do is run down to turn it on to get her reaction when she saw what Santa brought. It's funny how Santa always wrapped my presents growing up but Devin's were left unwrapped outside the door on Christmas Eve. Santa doesn't wrap the presents he leaves for my children either. The fun in that is seeing their faces when they see what they got. Now since we have lived here in Fayetteville, Steven has 'ruined' Kristen's surprise a couple of times. The year Santa brought an electric guitar, he told her what she got when he woke her up.

Oh and I can't talk about Santa gifts without mentioning the year that Santa stopped by our house early. I was the only one already in bed and I got up to get a drink or go to the bathroom or something. My brothers and sisters were still awake and I guess that my brother was trying out the bean bag that Santa brought for me. I didn't even notice. I guess Santa's magic was still at work!