Christmas Day Success

Christmas day was great.  It is obviously a tough season for kids with sensory issues but Kate handled it like a champ.  Grace was as sweet and thoughtful as ever and worried more about delivering presents to others than opening them herself. She was even kind enough to tell you what was in the gift before you opened it :).  Kate opened a few presents but was mostly finished with that business soon after we woke up.  If you asked her to open a present she would say, "no presents, no pictures" so you can see she was done with me chasing her with the camera too. 

Kate adored her marble tower and her little Buzz and Woody bobble heads but nothing made her happier than her scissors. Kate received five pairs of kids scissors and she was thrilled.  She has a thing for scissors (don't worry, we always supervise) and she spent the morning clutching them.  She did try to cut the cat's fur but we managed to intervene.  Otherwise, she happily cut the wrapping paper while her sister opened her gifts for her.  I was worried she might want to take the scissors to bed but we managed to put them away and tuck her in with Buzz Lightyear instead.  

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Grace's favourite present is a book I bought for her about Venice.  She is fascinated by a place that has streets made of water and she wants to go there someday. The four of us will go when the girls are older for sure.  I think her second favourite present is her new dress and tights from Zara Kids from Uncle Brendan.  She is really putting the pressure on for me to let her wear it but I want to save it for a special occasion.  That does seem silly though doesn't it?  I should just let her wear it.  How many chances will she get to wear it before she grows too big.  

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This photo of Kate was taken later on in the day at her Grandparents house.  Sometimes, Kate will pause and zone out for awhile.  We have learned that this is the first warning that she is ready to go.  Clearly, she was finished with Christmas.  Soon after this photo was taken we packed them up and took the girls home to bed.  All in all it was a very successful Christmas.  We have learned a few things from our experiences this year.  Most importantly, less is more.  Kate was overwhelmed by the massive haul under the tree.  She opened maybe three presents and then chose to spend some downtime with her Buzz Lightyear.  Next year, we are going to make sure we tone it way down.  In fact, there has been talk of spending Christmas somewhere tropical and skipping the excessive gift exchange altogther.  Don't tell Gramma!

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