So grateful - Christmas was all I had hoped it would be!

I was so excited for Sweetpea to experience Christmas this year. Even with all the advanced planning, I felt like it snuck up on us long before I was ready. Rather than becoming stressed and staying up late each night, I let a few things fall by the wayside and focused on the things that were most important to us. Rather than bake a big batch of cookies like we normally do, we made a small batch of sugar cookies and let everyone color them with sprinkles. I am planning to make my favorite, the gingerbread, next week. We delayed a few of the Christmas activities from our garland until this coming week as well.

Christmas Eve found the problem solvin house hosting a family dinner for my famous grandparents, mom and brother. Granted, it was a friendly crowd, but for the first time ever I managed to plan enough in advance that the day was nice and leisurely. We had crockpot beef and noodles, so there was little cooking that actually needed done. We only had to set the table and do a little last minute toy pickup and dusting before everyone arrived.

It was so much fun to visit, and Sweetpea is starting to recognize everyone without prompting. I love that she is getting to know her great grandparents. After dinner, we let Sweetpea open several of her presents. We chose open ended gifts to promote imagination, and it is so much fun watching her play! Here are a few pictures of what she received.

A tea set - we have had many tea parties in the past few days!
The Little People Barnyard - a great score from our local consignment shop!
Big Wheels - doesn't she look ready to go? Oh my little girl is getting so big!

Here are a few of the other entries from my gratitude journal this week:

*Thick clouds rolling quickly by, lit from the edge by the first blush of sunlight*

*Hearing "thank you, Mommy" just never gets old!*

*Relaxing, playful, joyous Christmas - just what I'd hoped it would be!*

*Learning my best friend is going to be moving closer to us - yeah!!*

*Finishing the scarf I've been knitting for Sweetpea, honestly the first knitting project that has made it to completion*

*Watching Sweetpea play with her cousins that she doesn't get to see very often*

What are you thankful for this week? I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!