Wow Pinga! You described our little house to a T! How did you do it? You have a wonderful Christmas. See which aunt or uncle can be the first for an afternoon nap! (I'm betting on an uncle or grandpa!)

Enjoy the excitement and magic of the day.
Busymom

ps My gang is still sleeping. Amazing! It's the mommy who's been up for an hour waiting for everyone else to wake up.

Better late than never. We ran south where we could have a kid centred Christmas. The friend we were visiting, a single mom, spends Christmas Eve with her parents. We headed to her parents house, had dinner. We sprinkled hay in the yard, with glitter in it, so the reindeer could get fed and see the food from the roof above. We did the cookies and milk thing. Then, there were the multiple trips to say I am not tired, I need to go to the washroom, I forgot something.... Last year, she had just turned three. I do not think she really got it. This year she was too excited for words and definitely too excited for sleep. After an almost, she finally went to sleep. I set up a train. That is what she asked Santa for, a train like her friend had. I cursed the thing, we were up really late and had to still drive back to our friend's place. I was also too excited for worrds or sleep. I was also up extra early and we were back at her parent's before anyone was up. I had to see her face. She came down the steps and saw under the tree and that look... it is absolutely priceless....
There is nothing like little kids and Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.

 This is a really, really old thread, but, just wanted to say...SG...you are someone special.  

Oh gosh - this is an old thread - and one that is timeless too.  Loved SG's description - I do remember and surely do miss those days with little kids in the house and the magic of Christmas.

This year, we had no kids!  Our son came by, but later in the afternoon & had dinner with us.  So my husband & I actually went to a noon hour movie!  (The King's Speech - I highly recommend it!)  I recall when my daughter worked at a theatre, and had to go to work on Xmas day - and I said in amazement - who the heck goes to movies on Xmas day?  So now I know.  It was actually a good way to spend some time!

 Carolla, i started a thread on The King's Speech in Popular Culture.

Yes, it is timeless, and I smile when i read the stories of ensuring the kids are asleep, or the running down the stairs in the morning.  The boys were not allowed to open the french doors until we caught up to them...and so, there would be the squeels of delight and the 'Santa came' as they peered into the room.   I can picture them now...though the years have flown by