The kids had some fancy reindeer drinks, which they thought was pretty special!
Notice Macy's pinky.
While the girls napped, we actually got in a fun game of Monopoly. Well...fun until Ont Ochee started cleaning up, and Luka had to mortgage all his properties. He was a good sport and really tried to hang in there! The next week though, Luka out of the blue told me, "I never want to play Monopoly with Ont Onchee again!"
Another very cool tradition is that each year, Papa presents a giving opportunity to the kids, to help underscore the importance of thinking of others during the holidays. This year they spent time learning about Heifer International. In the end, I think we ended up purchasing a water buffalo, some rabbits, a goat, and some chickens. Though there was so much excitement back and forth about what they could buy, I'm not sure what finally landed in the "cart!"
As the years have gone by, the focus has turned more and more toward the kids, such that the adults don't even exchange gifts anymore. The one luxury we allow ourselves is a semi kid-free meal, made possible by a new Christmas movie that Mimi and Papa give to the grand-kids each year. This year, it was The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which they had just seen in December with Mimi and Papa at the live theater.
A highlight of each annual gathering is the Christmas show that the kids put on, directed by Mimi and Papa. As soon as the grand-parents land in Texas each December, much of their time is focused on preparing the kids for the big performance. And the kids LOVE it! Honestly, they are just as excited to do the show as they are to open gifts, which is so neat to see.
Each of the older kids did their own performance this year: TJ reading a Christmas poem (dressed as a cat), Luka playing Christmas carols, and Norah singing Jolly Old St. Nicolas.
Macy and Mikayla had their own chance on the stage and "sang" Jingle Bells. I think they were pleased as punch to be a part of the show.
The Grand Finale was a rendition of "We Three Kings," with the assistance of a pre-recorded version of Luka on piano. The two little girls led the procession waving their stars, and the Three Wise Men followed "yonder star", for several rounds. I have to say, the costumes this year were second to none!
Speaking of dressing up, I found these two practically matching black and white dresses in Mikayla's closet. I have no idea who they came from, or when they were acquired, but they could not have been cuter for this particular occasion. The girls loved them as well, and were quite happy to be dressed up all fancy for once.
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