Before I recap Christmas morning at our house with Rocco, let me start with the beginning of the festivities: the Clark/Recla Christmas Extravaganza the Sunday before Christmas at our house. In attendance were: Todd, Kacie, Rocco, Ruby, Mike, Kim, Jason, Lora, Grandma Mary, Uncle Gilbert, Aunt Andrea, Uncle Pat, Josh, Mikaela, Uncle Dean, Papa Gary, Lori, Marcy, and Grandma Fawn. So, there were 19 of us total! Everyone was asked to bring an appetizer or dessert to share with others, and, of course, we had more than enough food and sent people home with left-overs. It was a delicious spread! Usually, we have a large sit-down traditional dinner with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, etc. This year, though, we wanted something more laid-back and low-key. While we noshed on our yummy food, we began the white elephant exchange. Everyone brings a gift-- either something they picked up for a steal throughout the year or a re-gift-- and we each draw numbers. Each person has the opportunity to either choose a wrapped gift or steal from someone else. After a gift has touched three different sets of hands, it is taken out of the game. It gets pretty cut-throat! But it is one of the most anticipated "events" of the year with our family. We then opened gifts from everyone. As expected, everyone was spoiled again this year. I think I speak for everyone who was able to attend that it was a great celebration with the whole family and that the more laid-back, low-key aspect was much appreciated.
That evening, we had a special visit from "Santa" and his "helpers" (Rick Dentinger aka Santa, helpers: Mike and Matt Dentinger and Rory Churchill.) Santa came BOOMING into the house-- "HO HO HO!"-- and scared Rocco to the point where Rocco was shaking. He was totally freaked out. We could not get him on Santa's lap. But, he did finally come around enough to give Santa a hug, high fives, and fist bumps before he left! Santa and his helpers were a lot of fun and we were glad they stopped by.
The following day, Christmas Eve day, our little family did a lot of relaxing. Our original plans had fallen through, so we had a lot of time to clean up from the day before, put away gifts, and watch Rocco play with some of his new toys. Oh, and soak up time with Miss Ruby, too! That evening, we went out to Grandma Mary's house. Uncle Gil made a spread that could rival with any fine dining restaurant. The man is amazing in the kitchen! He made probably the best clam chowder I have ever eaten, as well as a couple quiches, a pear/walnut salad, and more. We would get so fat if Gil were around cooking for us all the time! True to tradition, Grandma had a lottery ticket at each place setting. We ate, we watched gifts being opened, and we watched Rocco beat up Mikaela. They act like brother and sister! Later that night, after we got home, we put Rocco to bed so we could prepare for the following morning...
Being Santa is a little stressful! There's a lot of pressure for perfection-- especially with the first conscious visit from Santa for a kid! Anyway, we were well-prepared-- gifts had been wrapped and just needed to be put under the tree or in the stocking and the larger items (a firetruck Rocco can drive himself and a 4-story fire station) were assembled, so they just needed to be set up in front of the tree. The one thing we prepared for that didn't happen was leaving milk and cookies for Santa from Rocco-- he was too tired after getting home, so we just put him to bed. Next year, though, we will get it done! It didn't take as long as we thought. Before we knew it, we were attempting sleep (Ruby had a really rough night that night, so we really didn't sleep at all!) My parents snuck over to the house that night, too, so that they would be here first thing in the morning to see Rocco's face as he saw all the presents for him under the tree.
Todd, Ruby, and I were up early to catch Rocco's reaction. Todd grabbed the video camera, and I sat with Ruby. Rocco came around the corner very sleepy and meandered through the living room-- oblivious to the presents-- and crawled up on my lap. I kept saying, "Rocco! Look at all of those presents Santa left you!" It took him awhile to fully wake up and realize that there was a fire station and fire truck for him. But when he did-- oh, the look was priceless! His eyes lit up, he smiled, and he RAN to the fire station. He played with it for almost 3 hours straight! It was difficult to even get him to open up his other presents! He is definitely one lucky little boy. He played with his new toys for most of the morning while we watched. My dad made us a great breakfast. And we made sure to capture a lot of it on video and through photos. That afternoon, we opened our gifts from Todd's family and called to talk with them for a bit. Then, we relaxed some more!
All in all, with the exception of some plans falling through and some family not being able to make it down, this Christmas was perfect! We are so loved by family and spoiled by them. Most importantly, for me, was feeling the magic of Christmas all over again through the eyes of my child. I can't wait to add more traditions as Rocco and Ruby get older-- I have so many in mind that they won't be able to fully appreciate until they're a little older, but are going to be so much fun! I hope that those of you reading this also had a wonderful Christmas and are planning a fun, safe NYE celebration!!!
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