MERRY CHRISTMAS! (A Long Post)

The reaction from Erika this morning when she saw that frog tent in the living room was so so cute. I guess it was what people call "priceless." Peter walked in with her and as soon as she saw it she kept saying "oh...oh..oh!" And then she wanted to get down right away and check it out.The picture above is pretty close to her facial expression as she discovered the tent. I should have video taped it but took photo's instead. In the picture she is looking right at the tent and feeling the excitement. It was so cool, like really cool to see her react!There she is checking the tent out. I don't think she even realized that there were three presents waiting for her. She was too into this big frog that arrived in her living room. On his tongue there are little yellow bugs that I guess he has caught to eat. If you look in the background of the picture above you can see Erika's new doll cradle from her Grandma (my mother) which she loves to put her babies in.Then it was time to open her presents. Santa brought Erika an Elmo that takes a paci, the boy "Little Mommy Baby Knows" doll, and Elmo Live. Not a pile but certainly enough. I haven't decided yet if I want Santa to bring a huge pile every year or just a few. I will have to write him a letter by next year and let him know my wishes.There are no photo's of me opening gifts with Erika because with daddy around...I don't have a chance. But truly that is okay with me. Erika is lucky. And I have her to myself a lot so I can share! As far as Elmo Live, I think Santa brought that more for me because Erika is not too impressed. She loves the one with the paci though.

Erika loves when I go in the tent with her. It is so cute. She calls me and then wants me to sit in there or lay down in it. It kinda reminds me of when I was younger because I remember always wanting my mother to go in things with me and do fun stuff like that with me.Not exactly the best picture of me...for more reasons than one. But that is her new Elmo with his paci and there we are best buddies in a tent! Peter says I like it so much in there because i did so much camping as a child. By the way, it was such a laid back Christmas this year that I stayed in my pj's till about 4:00! At that time I showered and we went for our Riley run.Santa was right on when he picked an Elmo with a paci...two of Erika's favorite things. Who could ask for more? He is so cute because when you put the paci in his mouth he starts humming instead of singing. My only complaint is that he keeps talking after he hasn't been played with in a long time!After we had our breakfast this morning, Aunt Judy came over with some gifts for Erika and Erika had a gift for Aunt Judy. Erika gave Aunt Judy some pretty snowman place mats and a scented candle. And Aunt Judy gave Erika 4 pairs of adorable feety pj's. Erika will be cozy all winter long!Erika just loves loves loves Aunt Judy and gets so excited when she see's her walking up to our door. Even on the days that Erika is sick...she comes alive for Aunt Judy. It always amazes me.
Aunt Judy requested a photo of her and Erika inside the tent and so we did that...and then Aunt Judy took a family shot for us...pj's no make-up - ALL NATURAL! YIKES!That was the best shot out of the four that Aunt Judy took. And now for the grand finale...Erika showing off her new sweatsuit from my mother. It is so pretty. Unfortunately it only made it half a day because when Erika woke up from her nap...she had wet through it. Oh my goodness...I don't think she could get much cuter! My little smooshie face! I think and hope that Erika had a great Christmas and I look forward to next year when she is even more aware of what is happening.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!