The big day

As expected (thankfully), the train was a huge hit with both boys, and Will loved his tent.  Score one for mom and dad.  There is nothing worse than finding something that you are sure your children will love, only to see the look of ennui on their faces when they see it.  Dagger to the heart.

Santa did have one misstep this year.  Jack really wanted a recorder (or, in his words, a whistle).  Santa excitedly found one, not realizing how LOUD it is.  After 60 excruciating seconds of Jack's solo, it took everything I had not to rip it out of his hands and throw it out the window.  Fortunately, it was time to pack up and go to Lulu and Buster's house.

And here's where the wheels started to come off the bus.  In an effort to make everyone happy, we scheduled every minute of Christmas day.  We woke up opened our presents at home.  At exactly 9:30, we headed to my parents' house to open all of our family presents (which included, among other cool things, a trampoline and a ridiculous amount of trains). 

At exactly 12:30, we ran home to pick up Charlie, throw our 400 bags in the car and head to Richmond.  The boys did not nap in the car as we had hoped.  So by the time we got there, we had two incredibly cranky, exhausted children who had received a million presents but had essentially gotten to play with none of them.  Clearly a flaw in our plan.  And that is why there are no pictures of our children after noon on Christmas Day.  Minus one for mom and dad...