Ho, Ho, Ho! It's Christmas in August!

With little ones, Christmas morning starts early for everyone and 2009 was no different. The week before Christmas, Hayden announced that he would like for Santa to bring him a remote controlled Allosaurus. We were in the midst of a passion for all things prehistoric and this struck him as a wonderful thing to have. Michael and I braced ourselves for the upcoming life lesson... H pays extremely close attention to the details and explained that of course this toy would need to have three claws on each small arm, not two because that is how you can tell if you are dealing with an Allosaurus rather than a T-Rex. We were done shopping at that point and regardless felt that his incredibly specific request was not likely to pan out. When he heard his request was iffy, Hayden announced that we would need to send Santa a message to explain what he wanted so that he didn't get confused like he did the previous year when Hayden asked for a Polar Express train set. (This was found and happily opened but H was disconcerted when the set didn't contain the appropriate number of coaches. He came to the conclusion last summer that he should have explained things more clearly to Santa.) So, Hayden was concerned that we clearly express this years request to Santa. We discussed this with our lad and explained that the request was likely too late since the Elves had finished making toys and were getting them ready for transport on the big day. We thought the matter had been dealt with until Christmas morning arrived and Hayden confidently poked about wondering which box might have his remote controlled Allosaurus. Yikes - who wants a meltdown to start off the day? After a bit I pulled him aside and broke the news that there was not an Allosaurus but that we were going to have such fun with the lovely gifts that were there from our family and Santa. We tentatively forged on with the opening of gifts.Fortunately, Bailey was much easier for Santa to please! He brought along some Veggie Booty for the kiddos in their stockings and she was more than content to munch on this while the paper flew. Who knew? We probably could've gotten away with wrapping up a case and making that her Christmas gift!
There were books galore and the kids were excited to enlist readers right away. Papa gave everyone a good chuckle when my folks opened up there His and Her Snuggies from him.

When the kiddos got to unveil their indoor trampoline, I don't know who had more fun - them or the adults watching! I am going to guess the adults since it was a hoot to watch and it was splendid to have something to use up all that energy that can be pent up in the wintertime.
Puzzlemaking is a long held Christmas tradition in my family. Each of the kids got a new puzzle and we warmed up by helping them put the pieces together. Sure wish they could've helped out with the grown ups puzzle - it was a doozy this year.
We came across a great deal on a spiral train track and decided to add one more good set of track to our collection so that we could build increasingly elaborate train set ups. It took a bit to get things put together but it was a great place to run trains once all was said and done.
We also enjoyed putting together a model of Radiator Springs from the Cars movie. It was the perfect place to zoom their new Lightning McQueen cars around.
Bailey received a tutu and leotard set from my folks and was plenty happy to wear it but wanted it over her clothes at first - quite the fashion statement!

It was awfully nice of her to let Lightning McQueen take a break from paving roads in Radiator Springs to visit the Nativity set. Not sure that this is what they meant when they said "O Come All Ye Faithful" but perhaps it qualifies as a start!
At some point in the morning, Bailey took a reading break with Papa - but notice that she kept a firm hold on her Veggie Booty!My eldest niece Katelyn is a fan of all things Twilight and was quite amused by her paper plates complete with her beloved Jacob.The Twilight board game went over pretty well too!

Time for another reading break - but there was no room to break away from the Veggie Booty!

Here's a shot of my brother with his gift from my folks. My father refinished some old family furniture to pass onto him. The perfect gift for our family author!

Yep - for those of you keeping track - the pic above does show Miss B with Veggie Booty at her knee and she is hanging onto her prize in the picture below as well. She is a tenacious little bugger!

Hayden brought his Lightning McQueen over to Pa for a visit.

And the book tour continues from adult to adult!

Bailey and Ma check out her new garbage truck.

And then it was time for our Christmas Miracle! My Mother had a toy dinosaur tucked away for Hayden - it had been found and wrapped before the incredibly specific request for Santa was made. Mom and I had spoken about this on the phone and were ready for a reaction since it was cool but not exactly what Captain Details had specified. But behold! It may not have had a remote control but it was able to move and roar with the assistance of batteries. To our surprise we noticed that it also had three claws on each little arm. Ahhhh, wonders will never cease. Hayden was elated and toted the creature all over with him listening to its roars and occasionally letting it take a stroll.

Allosaurus watched dinosaur documentaries while perched on a sofa pillow and even settled onto my should to read the new dinosaur book from the Michigan crew.

When all was said and done it was a very festive morning that left some of us all tuckered out....