Our Christmas
This Christmas, I felt the same rush of excitement I felt as a child on Christmas Eve. Harper's first Christmas was so special, but I was even more excited this Christmas. We have a walking, talking toddler now and I was looking forward to seeing the holidays through her eyes.
I worked a half-day on Christmas Eve and as soon as I left the office I picked up our Christmas ham. We spent the evening relaxing with my in-laws in our home (they host Thanksgiving, we host Christmas). That night, we ordered Mexican food for dinner and watched movies. Once Harper was asleep, we brought down her play kitchen and put all of the presents under our tree. Seeing the play kitchen in place gave me that tingly feeling inside--- I couldn't wait to see her reaction the next morning.
We had made plans with my mom to FaceTime as soon as Harper woke up on Christmas morning (she is a nurse and had to work). Because she couldn't be there, I didn't want her to miss Harper's reaction to her big gift. Several months ago my mom told me she wanted to get Harper a play kitchen for Christmas and we looked at all of the different options and decided on the farmhouse kitchen from Pottery Barn Kids. I loved its traditional design and the fact that it was a little larger than the other styles so she could enjoy it now and it will grow with her as well.
Needless to say, Harper loved her kitchen and started to explore it as soon as we came downstairs on Christmas morning. I had set out a pancake and eggs pan set on the stove for her--- it was so sweet to watch her play.
farmhouse kitchen- pottery barn kids | harper's pj's- ℅ groopdealz.com
After FaceTime with my mom, Harper ate breakfast and we all sat around the tree and drank coffee while we opened presents. The moment Harper saw her new ride, she wouldn't get out, just as we had predicted the night before. I had to open her presents for her because all she wanted was "car car" so that, and the kitchen, were big hits in our house. If she really loved a gift, she would get out of the car for a few minutes to play with it, haha!
After FaceTime with my mom, Harper ate breakfast and we all sat around the tree and drank coffee while we opened presents. The moment Harper saw her new ride, she wouldn't get out, just as we had predicted the night before. I had to open her presents for her because all she wanted was "car car" so that, and the kitchen, were big hits in our house. If she really loved a gift, she would get out of the car for a few minutes to play with it, haha!
bow ℅ pretty little elm
We also got Harper lots of little felt play food for her kitchen. She loves the Melissa & Doug pizza set!
The rest of the afternoon, we played, relaxed and even snuck in a nap. Harper pretty much wanted to be in her car 24/7 and we took our first outdoor family walk in it before lunch time!
these shoes though...- baby gap
After I woke up from a midday nap, I started to get things together for dinner. Harper ended up napping until 4 o'clock (Christmas miracle?) so the timing was perfect. We set the table and I got to work on the mashed potatoes and green beans. We got a ham from Honeybaked Ham and we also made a salad (a mix of spring mix lettuce, candied pecans, dried cranberries, granny smith apples and a pear vinaigrette).
After I woke up from a midday nap, I started to get things together for dinner. Harper ended up napping until 4 o'clock (Christmas miracle?) so the timing was perfect. We set the table and I got to work on the mashed potatoes and green beans. We got a ham from Honeybaked Ham and we also made a salad (a mix of spring mix lettuce, candied pecans, dried cranberries, granny smith apples and a pear vinaigrette).
I was so happy to have one of my best friends and Harper's Godmother over for Christmas! Candice and her boyfriend made some incredible stuffing and truffle oil mac and cheese. Candice actually used Meg's recipe--- check it out here, it's amazing!
Dinner was delicious and we just relaxed until Harper's bedtime. After her longer-than-usual nap, she stayed up a little later than usual and we snapped some family photos.
After Harper was sound asleep, we all played Cards Against Humanity. It was the first time for all of us and it had us laughing so hard we were worried Harper would wake up. I also learned my in-laws have an even more awesome sense of humor than I thought!
I hope your Christmas was amazing! Thank you for reading and for all of your support in 2014. Here's to an amazing 2015--- wishing you all the very best!
PS- I filmed a fun story on "Christmas hacks" for ABC Channel 13 (KTRK) with my friend Katherine. You can watch it here. I'm always humbled when I get invited to do things like this. Thanks for watching :)
PS- I filmed a fun story on "Christmas hacks" for ABC Channel 13 (KTRK) with my friend Katherine. You can watch it here. I'm always humbled when I get invited to do things like this. Thanks for watching :)
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