On Christmas Eve, we started out by following same tradition as last year: she gets to open a book, a pair of pajamas, and a toy. (Anna Claire was not able to open the gifts herself. I had to undo the tape, then she would rip off the paper.)
This year the book was her favorite library book, Max's Bedtime (I always try out books first at the public library before buying!) She also opened her snowman pajamas, and a set of toy cupcakes. She absolutely went nuts for the cupcakes.
We knew she'd like them, but if we'd known how much, we'd have got them sooner. I was actually all done Christmas shopping for her last Sunday, but spending the week with her out of school, I noticed whenever I asked her what she was making in her kitchen, she'd say "cu-cakes!" I told Larry Friday morning, that we needed to try to find cu-cakes for this child while we were out if at all possible. Toys R Us had one set left, and they are awesome. They have interchangable frosting and come in a muffin pan. She loves dumping them out and putting them back in - and they just BARELY fit in her oven.
Oh, I made actual chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting and chocolate chips for her too, of course. This was to offset the possible meltdown that would insue after discovering that toy cupcakes are not edible. :)
Christmas morning, We loved waking up to see a beautiful blanket of snow out our window and large fluffy snow still falling. So nice to spend the entire morning in PJs.
When Anna Claire first woke up, I wondered if she'd want breakfast or presents first, and I guess the best answer is BOTH. She had a hurried breakfast, then wanted "uh" (up). She went straight for the tree at this point...she was happy to see the presents under the tree.
We just put half of the gifts under Christmas morning, because Meme (Nene) funded a great deal of what Santa brought this year and we wanted her to see them get opened. I also think we did a good job of not overwhelming Anna Claire by letting her open things at her own pace. She would open a toy and immediately want to play with it, then we'd wait until she came back over to give her the next. I think Larry and I had as much fun as she did. It helped that I took a friend's advice and wrapped all toys removed from their packaging with batteries already in them so she could play with something as soon as she opened it. What great advice!
Round one: She opened her stocking containing her Biscuit Christmas book, Ni Hao Kai Lan Bubbles (non-spill!), butterfly mirrors for dress-up center, holiday stickers, and a candy cane full of chocolates.
Next, Melissa and Doug Vehicles puzzle that makes the vehicles' sounds when you place the pieces, Once Upon a Potty book, 2 pairs of pajamas, two pairs of pants, and a wooden book caddy for her board books (surprised how much she liked this! Maybe they make her books feel even more special?)
Then, the finale for round one...a giant purple crayon!! SHE LOVED IT! She did exactly as we suspected and went straight to her coloring table to see if it really colored. So darn cute.
Later on, we took walks outside in the snow and came in to warm up with yummy hot chocolate(her first time trying hot(warm for Anna Claire) chocolate.)
Round two: (Meme arrives) Anna Claire got the most amazing Nursery Rhymes pop-up book. It is so cool, I'm including pictures in this blog for you later when I get the chance (yes, it is THAT cool).
We called Step2 and they were willing and able to sell us ALL of the accessories that came with the kitchen Gan gave us. We are fully up and running. What she loves best is the burner that really lights up and bubbles when you place their special pots/pans on top. Anna Claire also got the Step2 Food Bundle which is freakin' awesome. I never had toy food so cool when I was a kid. The only complaint that the three of us have is that the hot dog CANNOT be removed from the bun - seriously? She keeps handing it to us, saying "Out! Out!" Poor baby. Finally, she got Potsy the Pot, which I already love. It is so cute, sings to her, and fits in well with her kitchen.
Round three: Grandma's house! Anna Claire once again opened gifts in phases, playing with cat toys, Papoo's cast iron stove, and Larry and Clint's old toy train and elephant in between. :) One of my favorite things that she got from Grandma was the Crayola Color Me a Song. It's the thing that plays music faster as she colors faster. Best part is it comes with washable crayons. The crayons are triangular-shaped so that made them a novelty to AC. Good thinking, Grandma!! <3
Grandma also got Anna Claire two Christmas tree shaped books (one Dora, one Spongebob) which she loved! Both books have flaps throughout that reveal hidden pictures. So cool.
She got clothes many other fun things like holiday hacky sacks, a puzzle, and a teddy bear.
She got her first doll! Baby Stella. I blogged about Stella a few weeks back - she is neat because she comes with a magnetic paci, bottle, diapers, a pack of "wipes", teddy bear, pajamas...basically anything a baby would have, you can get for Stella. I love her already. I wonder if Anna Claire sees Stella's paci and thinks "I want my paci." We are in the process of breaking her of paci, so I'm thinking maybe about the time the paci fairy comes to get Anna Claire's paci, she gets Stella's too, and they both get lots of goodies when they wake up in the morning, sort of like the tooth fairy. I so stole this idea from Supernanny.
One final note: I have enjoyed reading Christmas books with Anna Claire, so much so, I am sort of sad to pack them up for next year, as I will be when we take down decorations. Thanks to the books, school, Nick Jr, and a set of plastic holiday cookie cutters we got her first of December, she recognizes and can name Santa, sleigh, reindeer, elves, snowman, sled, Christmas tree, and candy cane.
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