Our simple Christmas

Our Christmas was simple and relaxed. We don't decorate a ton for Christmas, except for a tree with mostly handmade ornaments. I tell myself every year that I'll make stockings, but alas, another year has passed and I still haven't done it. This December has felt so jam-packed with to-dos that I yearned for this Christmas to be one where we cherished each other's company while reflecting on the ultimate gift of our Savior's birth. We spent a couple of evenings celebrating with extended family, but also set aside time for just the four (almost five!) of us. Since we were going to be at service with our church family on Christmas morning, we had our little family celebration on Christmas Eve. The kids woke up to a communal gift in the morning - a slide - which they have yet to cease playing on since. Serene and Valor each received three gifts, including something to wear (shoes) and a couple of toys to play with (magnetic wooden blocks to start their collection, and animal figurines to add to their collection). I whipped up an easy breakfast - freshly griddled coconut pancakes with cheery chocolate chips and sprinkles, cheesy scrambled eggs, bacon, and fruit. We reflected on the hope of Christ's glorious birth, sang Christmas songs all day long, made gingerbread houses, lounged in our pajamas, and just spent time enjoying one another. I was in such a merry mood that Serene kept exclaiming, "Mama, you're so happy!" It was a jolly Christmas, indeed.