The Merry Christmas Recap.

The pirates took it easy on us this year. 

At 6:55 am they came bouncing in. 

At 6:56 my will was willing, but ohhh..... 

....my eyes were groggy. 

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I had opened them just barely when my brother called, 

and then propped them up completely when another brother called. 

Those patient little pirates waited through both.

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My pirates are professional.

It was still dark outside when we went upstairs.
Thank heavens.  I have strong convictions about opening presents and sunrise.

The pirates were so focused on the tree, they didn't notice the 

other surprises we had waiting by the piano, 

in a dark room, of course. 

First things first.

For example, first came the fancy popcorn...

...a red monster truck and a mini monster trailer...

...then some finger puppets and wrapping paper...

...more wrapping paper...

...and then at last and finally...

...the grand finale. 

I've never seen Robs so excited. 

At first sight of the dollhouse, she jumped in the air and exclaimed it was perfect.

She zoomed around to the other side, and declared her love.

At one point she said she loved it so much she "couldn't get it out of her head"...

all within five seconds. 

There were several high pitch screams as well. 

Enriqueboy said something like "Wow!"...

And gazed on the ground in amazement.

I was so busy laughing... I recorded exactly none of it.

But just like that, mothering is worth it for at least ten more years.

(I kid. Make it twenty.)

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Now for Squísh's First Christmas? 

It was everything she had ever dreamt of.

She moved around the room, 

canoodling or tasting every single opened present

until we handed her one of her very own. 

Love. At. First. Sight.

Later she told me she'd wanted a pink dolly for just about her whole entire life.

All eleven and a half months. 

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The whole thing was dreamy.

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And then at 10:40 I had to persuade Enriqueboy into clothes for 11:00 church.

Persuading him is not an easy chore. 

He's three... and when his mind is set-

... his mind is set. 

He only agreed when I told him it'd be short- 

and promised he could bring his truck.

As we walked into the building, I heard him mutter "disgusting" a couple different times. 

"Disgusting" is his favorite way of pulling out the big guns.

Only certain things are disgusting... like broccoli, diapers and church.

The truck took a whole seat.

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After church was entirely different. 

There were cousins... and presents... and cousins... and cookies...

and cousins... and games... and cousins...

When we finished the day at two hours past bedtime, 

they were completely exhausted. 

We tucked them snug into bed with an assortment of new toys...

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It was dreamy. 

Merry, Merry Christmas to everyone!