Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning Luke woke up a full hour before Bryn. He noticed the presents under the tree immediately, and said, "Look at all the presents." When Ken went into Bryn's room, she said, "5 more minutes." Bryn may be the only four-year-old on the planet to ask for "five more minutes" in her bed on Christmas morning! But she got what she asked for -- a big bag of jellybeans, and when she talked to Nana later in the morning, she told Nana that she had received "hundreds of presents." These included new puzzles, including a map of the world since she's mastered one of the U.S.; new books, including one on the human body, with which she's fascinated; and a hide-and-seek toy in which a wand helps the seeker to detect a hidden monkey. Luke got a set of Legos that builds construction vehicles; new books, including one about using the potty; and a couple of toy cars.

The big present was a shared gift -- a tumbling mat for the basement. Check out these acrobats!

In the afternoon Nama and Gran'pop arrived, and they gave Luke what he wanted most -- a new bicycle (or, more accurately, a tricycle). Ever since Bryn got a bike for her birthday, Luke has been longing for one, too, and frankly, he's outgrown the flotilla of ride-on toys that we have in our garage. Luke has been scooting around on his new trike without using the pedals, though. We lowered his seat today (the day after Christmas), and I pushed him along while he rested his feet on the pedals, so he at least got a chance to experience the sensation of using the pedals as they go round and round.This was the first Christmas in my life in which there were still presents to open after dinner. And we have some from Nana and Papap that will go under the tree tonight in an attempt to spread out the holiday weekend. :)