A California Christmas Day

Babies are hilarious on Christmas. They either a) show more interest in the tags and paper attached to the gift or b) hyper-focus on one gift out of the heap of stuff given to them because it is their first Christmas. I've witnessed it as an aunt and now as a mom. 

Let me repeat that... as a mom. 

Can I tell you how surreal it is to watch your own child enjoy Christmas morning when you are still replaying your favorite memories of Santa as a little child yourself? Memories of spreading out practically upside down on the stairs trying to sneakily catch a glimpse of the presents from old St. Nick remain crystal clear. That exhilarating, buzzy feeling while staring up at the twinkling lights on the tree as a 7-year old girl, believing in the magic of Christmas and letting myself get swept away in all its enchantment plays over in my mind fondly. 

This year we were lucky enough to be on the other side of those twinkly lights and enchantment, playing Santa for Luke. His curious, chubby face peeking into a ripped open present, wondering what it held was possibly the cutest thing. Ever. Even better was watching him poke at his very own computer, cautiously giving us the side eye because he thought we'd tell him no, and then zealously realizing he could bang on it to his heart's content (except now he thinks it's no holds barred with our laptops... yeaahhh, we will have to work on that one).

Christmas as a parent is daunting, but incredibly exciting. It is somewhat alarming to think that all of our children's hopes and dreams of the Christmas season rest solely upon our shoulders as parents (I mean, think of all the psychological damage we could inflict upon them if we don't say on top of our game!). Matt and I talked about that a lot this year. We experienced a tiny dose of the stress, anticipation, and sheer happiness of sharing Christmas with a kid. And he doesn't even really know who Santa is yet! Gee whiz. Anyway, we came out of this year with a newfound appreciation for the fantastic job our parents did in raising us with priceless traditions and memories. Thanks, Mom, Dad, Mopps and Popps. You pretty much rock in the parental department.

Here's to countless future Christmases full of more family, awe, madness, joy, and love!