The kids were totally surprised and just amazed at their big gift from us and their Papa. They almost couldn't believe their eyes. Jax said, "Is this an iPhone?" We then explained that it was an iTouch and that it was a music, game player, and video in one. We followed this closely with a responsibility speech and that we would be guarding them closely. For a bit, they seemed to just look at it as if they couldn't believe it. However, numerous times through the day they mentioned how their gift was so awesome.
It was a full day of fun. We didn't have as many toys to assemble this year, but we had lots of games and new things to keep us entertained. I still felt like I was moving from one thing to the next all day. And, of course we had to take a few minutes out to play in the snow.
The boys were super excited to receive the Super Mario DSi games and Delaney received the lego set she desperately wanted and a Christmas outfit for Pinky, which she had requested. Pinky couldn't go without a Christmas outfit!!!
The kids made paper chains at school to count down the days until Christmas and Delaney has faithfully pulled one off every morning as she got out of bed. They are super excited about Santa's arrival and have been talking about it all day. Jax is just most certain that Santa is bringing him a crayola maker and has already planned his day for tomorrow. 
Two oatmeal raisin cookies, an Oreo ball, and some milk await Santa.
Between the snow and Santa's upcoming visit, they were very excited and had a little trouble settling down, but Delaney realized that time passes much faster when you are sleeping! So, they are now nestled snug in their beds while visions of games, and crayola makers dance in their heads.
I forgot to take after pictures. I learned a few things about melting chocolate but other than that they were pretty simple and delicious. They could easily become a new holiday favorite. This evening, shortly after I stepped out of the shower, I was greeted with three quiet, yet smiling faces. This was obviously strange, so I asked, "What are you doing?"
I received some quick, oh nothings, with even bigger grins that looked back and forth at one another. At this point, my mind begins to immediately think that they either accidentally tore open a gift as they were snooping under the tree or maybe even deliberately peeked into one. I said, "You guys look really guilty about something."
Immediately, Jax begin to spill all. Apparently, they had got into a popcorn tin which a student had given me as a gift and ate some popcorn. Of course I didn't really care, and was probably a bit relieved to know all the presents were in tact under the tree. What surprised me most was how they really thought they had done something really sneaky. At that point, I could only grin myself.
I'm sure one of these days they will figure out how to really do something sneaky and truly keep it a secret so I'll just enjoy their innocence for now.
This morning, Delaney came to me and said, "Look at me. I'm just as perfect as a Christmas present. Who do I look like?" 
I knew exactly who she reminded me of but wasn't sure where she was going with her declaration. She proudly exclaimed how she looked like, Grandpa Ron. She exclaimed, "He always wore bows on his head. Right, mom?"
This of course warmed my heart but also was a reminder that she will never truly know her Grandpa Ron but to her he will always be the goofy guy with bows on his head. (My dad was not one to have his picture taken , so some of the only photographs are typically of him on holidays and he was notorious for placing the bow on his head). What has always saddened me most is that my dad never had the opportunity to know his grandchildren. Well, I guess this is Delaney's big shout out to her Grandpa. I know without a doubt that this little girl would have had him wrapped in so many ways.
Here is Jax with a mouthful of food and his good friend, Evan. It's fun to see the kids in their school environment and find out what's been going on in their world. Last Thursday, Delaney performed her Christmas Dance as a solo for the entire class. Their teacher reports that the class is just in awe of her talent, and her brothers are her biggest fans. She has since obliged them with a performance almost every day. While I was there, her song began to play and a little boy walked up to her and said, "Delaney's this is your dance song!" We are once again very blessed to have a teacher who seems to bring out the very best in each of them.
After a little party food, I was to help the kids make ginger bread houses. At first, I feared that assisting all three at once might be quite a task, but they did an awesome job. They covered small milk cartons, which turned out to be fairly simple. I tried to be hands off and just let them do it as they wished while following the teachers guidelines. However, I did frustrate Jax as I tried to show him how to place the graham crackers around the carton to build the house. He saw no need for the graham crackers and wanted to skip straight to yellow gum drops. 
