Oh my gosh, the joy of being Santa. It's a new experience this year. Though we've done it twice already, this year Ava gets it. Brad and I were practically giddy setting it all up, especially that pink bike that Santa found and made!! Brad said multiple times to me "you can't go downstairs without me." just to be reassured by me saying "we won't honey!". I especially liked this year b/c when Ava woke up on Christmas morning she didn't know it was Christmas, so she didn't wake up at the crack of dawn, and we could spend a little extra time cuddling in bed together. She said to us after a while "tomowo santa is comin'!" Then we knew it was time to go downstairs!! EXCITING!!!!!
She was truly in awe. The biggest presents were the best, she gravitated toward them first, completely missing her unwrapped pink tricycle that she had been asking for for 3 months!! Every time we saw one, every toy store, 2 times telling Santa that's what she wanted, and she just didn't see it. We asked her "Ava, did Santa bring you a bike, like you wanted?" and she flat out said "nope." Brad and I knew in that moment that we were more excited about the bike, and let go of having her see it. We looked at each other knowing she would see it eventually. It was almost like it was expected to be there. When she did see it it was not really that big of a deal. Kind of like 'so this is it?' It makes me smile, actually. A good reminder to let go of expectations, especially with a 2 year old :)
What I loved about watching her is that, other than the bike, she was genuinely so interested in each gift.
This look on her face was over and over "oh, wow!"
She spent a few minutes with each little thing playing with it, reading it, exploring it. I know these days won't last. We already felt a little bit of "where's my next present?!" vibe. It's natural, just a little sad when you think of the kids that don't get a xmas like this.
Ava was totally spoiled by her aunties and grand parents. I should have known this would happen. :)
Eventually she found her bike and LOVED the princess bell. "did santa put dis on here, mama?" Yes, he did, Ava. Just for you. He knows how much you like Princesses.
After presents we had the Green Family traditional Christmas Morning Breakfast. Just because we love it. Even Ava likes Panettone. The Italian in us lives on in lessening percentages, but it's there!! :)
Fresh squeezed OJ. From our very own orange tree! Another little dream come true. When I moved out here I always said to Brad I'd love to have a backyard with a fruit tree. And we have that now!! :)
mmm, Panettone
We spent all morning here in Los Gatos, playing with toys in our jammies, listening to mellow Christmas music, talking to Nana, Poppi, Aunite Mina, Sash & boomies on Skype. Talking to Auntie Coley & uncle Dave in Michigan and then, eventually taking naps. That's my kind of Christmas morning. After naps we got dressed and headed up to Pleasaton again. Ava wore her peace necklace that Nana sent her.
It was raining, so Ava had fun while we were packing up the car, trying to catch raindrops and inch her way out into the rain, as she heard me, or ignored me, saying "no thank you, Ava" over and over.
she made it out. that smirk tells you so. 'isn't this funny, mom? you said no and I did it anyway?'
Then she realized she was getting wet. She doesn't like that. So she came back into the garage. Learned her own lesson, which is turn is another lesson for mom :)
ON TO GRANDMA & GRANDPA'S
Come back to see the fun we had there!!
