Christmas Eve bedtime stories by the tree

Present opening. I let Ezri wake Ivan up at 9:05, she’d been up since 7 and her patience for the time of gifting was waning. She whispered, “Ivan, it’s Christmas.” He made a grumbly sound and said, “I know, Ezri.”

Santa left this porg. It is guarding a Hatchimal egg gifted by the parents.

New binoculars backwards. Mostly used so far for spying and hunting wild Pokemon in our yard.

New book from Manchi – Catstronauts Comics!

New Hogwarts house hats made by Amanda. Ezri is Hufflepuff and proud. Ivan is split Slytherin and Gryffindor.

A present Ivan made at school and wrapped for his parents. It was a block ornament decoupaged with wrapping paper and a photo of him in a Santa hat. I should’ve taken a photo of it too. But, his wrapping here was super cute.

“Do you know why I named him Cuddly?” “Because he’s cuddly.” “How did you know?” Meet cuddly the red panda.

Pancake reindeer with bacon antlers.

Chess on the *new* chess board.

Cats by the tree and Goldie the unicorn.

Outside in the snow – brrrrr.

Sand art menorahs and dreidels

Ivan’s dreidel is GREEN

Hammer Menorah for the unconventional materials challenge

Art activities

Time for songs with Koleynu

We walked downtown on sunny Sunday to get peppermint ice cream at Every Day’s a Sundae.
We noticed Santa was in at his lil’ house on Main street and stopped for a visit.

Ivan was nervous and quiet as he often is with new people. Santa was patient and encouraging.
Eventually, he told Santa he’d like a porg for Christmas and a book.
Santa knew what a porg was (creature from upcoming Star Wars movie) and joked about them annoying Chewbacca on the Millenium Falcon. After asking about what kind of book he’d like and learning Ivan wanted a Dog Man book Santa asked if he liked Captain Underpants too. When the answer was yes, Santa said “Tra la LA!” just like Captain Underpants. Ivan is sold on Santa. I was proud of him for having a conversation with an adult he didn’t know well. I know it was Santa but he spoke up and smiled and it was a lot for him. Thanks, Santa, for making it a positive experience and somehow knowing about Ivan’s favorite things.

We then did our annual book angels donation at Anderson’s Bookshop.
Ivan selected a super large Just Joking book to donate to an anonymous 6 year old boy.
Ezri selected an Eerie Elementary and a Magic Animal Rescue book for an anonymous 8 year old girl.

Here’s Ivan with Santa – Tra-la-LA!

“I like this Independence Day.”
“I like the fireworks except that ones that made my ears and my eyes hurt.”
Note – the grand finale got loud and bright!
Ivan’s favorite fireworks are the ones that arc down and remind Eric of willow trees.

In glow sticks, he is dedicated to green.

Our egg dying fun. The kids drew hearts and names on the eggs in white crayon until they realized they could draw butts. Ivan was excited to learn the word buttocks which is fancy for butt cheeks. He proudly proclaimed, “I have THREE BUTTOCKS!” It is not true. Eggs in lots of pretty colors.

Carrot for reindeer, cookies he and his sister made for Santa, and his first time lighting the Hanukkah candles without an adult also holding the shamash.

The lighting

Ivan was interested in meeting Santa after he noted that kids leaving Santa’s shack had candy canes. We were out in downtown Downers battling at Pokegyms, not planning to meet the jolly elf but then there he was.

Ivan told Santa he wanted candy for Christmas and liked tablets.

Santa’s helper gave him the candy cane which he clutched smiling.

He ate the whole thing except a small section that broke off in the unwrapping. I’m flattered to say he gave that to me. I love you too, kid.

Then we went to the library and celebrated by playing some Mario on the WiiU console there with friends. Ivan is very intensely focused in the photo below.