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| A joyful Christmas Eve cousin nativity! Luke as the innkeeper, Evan as Joseph, David as the shepherd, Mary as Mary, Eliza as the angel, and Baby Sara as Baby Jesus. |
It was a happy Christmas Eve.
David and Mary, disappointed that we don't have an electric train under our Christmas tree, spent the morning arranging the wooden train tracks in, through, under, over, and around the presents. Sara, of course, joined the fun. It was truly a labor of love. And magical to watch my children work together.
In continuing with the train theme, we visited the holiday train display at the Cincinnati History Museum in the old Union Terminal.
It was so cold, brrrrrr, that we didn't take any pictures outside the terminal. But we saw the building in miniature twice--as part of the history of Cincinnati model (very cool exhibit!) and also in Lego!
As expected, the train display was festive but crowded. We especially enjoyed the rest of museum, which was surprisingly interesting. We look forward to returning when we have more time.
It was the perfect way to spend the morning.
Later that afternoon, when the kids returned from playing with neighborhood friends, the siblings exchanged their Christmas gifts. Greg and I also had Christmas Eve books for all of the kids to open. These were Sara's first Christmas presents, so, of course, this became all about Sara! (Mary finished that blanket, and David thoughtfully picked out some bath toys for Sara because we have none.)
But I must add that David and Mary got each other very thoughtful presents. They have really begun to understand gift-giving. They have been very thoughtful about gifts this year. Now that the desire and understanding has emerged, I definitely need to nurture that in them!
It was fun to open these thoughtful presents apart of the chaos of Christmas morning.
That evening Greg's brother Chris and family came over for a Christmas Eve celebration. It was wonderful! We shared a yummy ham dinner, exchanged gifts, acted out the nativity, enjoyed the traditional family dessert, and sang Christmas carols. It was such a great evening. I am so grateful they came over and we could spend that time together. (A quick note: The dress Sara was wearing was one that Eliza used to wear! And Mary too.) They are such a good family.
Wow. It was a really great evening.
After the cousins went home, it was time to get ready for the big day!
David and Mary hurried to bed. Mary was determined to be asleep well before Santa's arrival, and David was quick to turn off his light as soon as he heard the sleigh bells.
Then it was time to get to work.
And everything was ready.
