Christmas By The Numbers

Whew! We made it through the big holiday. We had a wonderful holiday. It was so fun to see La Nina really 'get' Christmas this year. She had so many questions about Santa and the reindeer this around. It is hard to believe it is the fourth Christmas we have spent with her. This is Maggie's second Christmas. Last year, she had only been home 1 month when we celebrated the holiday. While she thoroughly enjoyed the parties and the presents, next year will be her big year to 'get' it.

I posted our Christmas by the numbers last year and thought it would be fun to do an updated version in honor of today's celebration.

Days Ginger Bread House has survived with Pete, our dog, in the house: 9

Gatherings attended in last 3 days: 3

Events skipped so kids could rest: 1

Cookies baked yesterday 'cuz I felt like bakin': 12 dozen
(Snickerdoodles, Double Chocolate Crunch, Apple Oatmeal and Blueberry Bars)

Homemade crafty gifts completed: 19

Hostess gifts purchased and delivered: 0

Christmas cards mailed: 133

Outrageous comments made by my family regarding the state of my kitchen and garage: 2

Presents La Nina wanted to leave unopened on Christmas Eve when Santa was "spotted" flying over head to deliver presents in San Francisco: 1

Time it took Maggie to fall asleep on Christmas Eve: 20 seconds

Times La Nina told us to go "straight to bed" while we were tucking her in Christmas Eve: 7

Sighs made by La Nina during the reading of "The Night Before Christmas" before we left her room on Christmas Eve: 15 (See above items.)

Hours it took for "Santa" to make his delivery: 2

Emergency presents wrapped on Christmas Eve: 3

Emergency trips to Walgreens after 9pm: 0 (Not always the case for us!)

Hour Maggie awoke this AM: 6:00AM

Hour La Nina awoke this AM: 6:01AM

Hours spent opening presents: 2

Gifts left unopened by Maggie 'cuz she just wanted to play: 3

Hours it took her to return to gift opening: 2

Naps skipped by kids over past 3 days: 1

Meltdowns for kids: 1 (Coinicidence? I think not.)

Meltdowns for grown ups: 0 (What a difference from last year!)

Dirty Diapers during meals: 1

Hot Meals eaten by Mom: 3

Hot Meals served to kids: 3

Meals (ok, food of any kind) consumed by Maggie: 0 (she might have had some lollipop this morning)

Meals consumed by La Nina: 1

Favorite gift for La Nina: Baby Alice (aka Baby Burps)

Favorite gift for Maggie: Jump-o-lene

Worst gift from Mom's perspective: 100 balls that go with Jump-o-lene

Times Dad asked if we were supposed to live with Jump-o-lene dominating our living room all winter: 23

Times I answered "Yes": 22

Times I answered "Next time it rains all day, you stay home with the kids": 1

Times I heard about Jump-O-Lene's size after that: 0

Hours children spent in Jump-O- Lene: 4

Times dogs have growled at Jump-O-Lene: 3

Times we felt grateful for all the many blessings in our lives: More than we can count.