Together on Christmas Eve

Ryan: takin’ one for the team. Late Christmas Eve, while we were setting up Vivienne’s playroom surprise, a Christmas light broke… into Ryan’s thumb. All was well after a douse of hydrogen peroxide and a pile of gauze.

Good morning! and MERRRY Christmas!

It’s always a little thing – like a candy necklace – that brightens a little one’s eyes. (Despite her apparent fervency, she’s still working her way through this gift!)

Sometimes I choose Vivienne’s gifts based on the dad-enthralling factor… it’s double-the-fun that way. 😉

The new playroom was a hit. Her little chair…

tumbling mat…

and fantastic holiday humor.

At Grandmom and Grandpop’s house on Christmas evening, quietly singing “Away in a Manger” to this sweet holy family…

Another gift with the dad-enthralling factor (okay, so I forced him to pose for this one)

A trunk full of dress-ups! Within minutes, V transformed from a girl with a boa…

into a princess…

into a DOROTHY Princess! (Who knew?)

Mesmerized by a blank journal: ah, she is so my child…

And, the biggest hit of the night: A cardboard box (of course).