a very merry christmas

this year, christmas eve brought a palpable sense of fizzy joy and over flowing anticipation for fun, treats, presents, and santa. the happy frenzy started the minute that the little eyes of our children opened in the morning, and it lasted all the way through to the moment they closed their eyes in anticipation of santa's arrival. this is the most christmas excitement we've ever seen from them, and it was amazing. ramona is old enough to understand the why of christmas, doesn't care about the how of christmas, and remembers the treats and joys of previous christmases. she seems to be the perfect age for christmas joy. james has finally arrived at an age of christmas anticipation and joy, with a new understanding of what we are celebrating, and how that can mean gifts for him. they were both filled with christmas electricity, and it brought back so many joyful memories of christmas from my childhood. christmas with kids really is the best.

cheery christmas family, heading off to church


christmas eve brought lots of fun, but it also brought ramona a new fever. this was only a temporary slow down for her, but a real game changer for us: our plans to spend the evening with friends had to be cancelled, but the fever quarantine meant a very special quiet evening at home alone for the four of us.


after a little ibuprofen, a drive through some christmas lights, and a delicious gift of christmas stew (THANK YOU damons. you have no idea.), it was time for presents. this christmas eve, our tree was bursting with presents underneath,


and later, our house was bursting with boxes and wrapping paper.

under the tree was a new doll, who ramona promptly named laura, 

and a new ukelele, which james took to naturally and immediately,


and a new flash for the camera for me, so get ready for better and worse pictures while i figure this thing out.


 before bed, cookies, egg nog, carrots, and water were left for santa and his reindeer, a little song was sung at the fireplace, and excitable but sick children were tucked in for a feverish, fitful sleep of anticipation. oh, christmas!