Christmas Day

Christmas Day is here!!!  And Santa came!!!

I got the castle that I wanted, and there are lots of presents for me to open!!

Before we can open presents, Mom makes us a delicious breakfast.   Aunt Sherri joined us, because Mom bribed her with biscuits and gravy!   Since I don't eat food like a normal human being, I got strawberries and pretzels.   Breakfast of champions, I say.

 The stocking produced Octonauts and Flashcards.   

I'm pretty sure education is NOT allowed on Christmas.

 Jesse and Kelli came through with the Legos I asked for!

Mom and Dad bought me the large Lego storage head.   Good thinking!

Aunt Sue bought me the dragon that goes with my castle!!

Dan and Christy know my love for all things vehicular, and got me Micro Machines!! 

Aunt Catherine bought me the weapons pack and coach that goes with the castle!   

Two words every mother wants to hear:   WEAPONS PACK

What a haul!  It was more than I ever hoped for, and I'm excited to play with all of it!  It's hard to know where to start!

I think I'll start by storming the castle!

What a wonderful morning.   My cousin Ryan is calling home from his mission at 12 noon, so we're going to hit the road and head to Grandma's house so we don't miss the call.

More presents at Grandmas?   I had forgotten that we get to do this twice!

MORE LEGOS!!!!  The look on my face says it all....

Thank you to ALL of my family near and far that thought of me this Christmas, and gave me some wonderful new things.  I'm a lucky boy to have so many people love me.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

P.S.  One memory my mom doesn't want to forget is that I can't say Christmas. 

 I say 'Mist-Mas' and it's the most adorable thing ever.

Christmas Eve

Christmas is ALLLLLLMOST here, and I can't be more excited.  Our family only travels for Christmas every other year, and this was our year to stay home.   The Barnes' have some very fun family traditions, and staying home allowed us to participate in some of them!

For a month or two now, I've been asking for a "castle."   I often get to visit the toys in Target, and I'm always drawn to the castle and horses section.  I love ALL the toys, but these really get my attention.   I visited Santa Claus at the mall, and I told him exactly what I wanted.   We will see if he comes through!!

We have an elf name Ernie that visits us every day, and reports back to Santa if I've been a good boy or not.   This has been an extremely effective motivator when my behavior becomes iffy.  I did not know that elves could fly, and that they report back to Santa.   When they say "Santa knows!" they are not kidding.

Christmas Eve always involves lots of yummy food, and our family re-enacting the Christmas story.  I'm too big to play baby Jesus, so I've finally graduated to shepherd!!

Aunt Lynnette doesn't mind when I help her play the Christmas carols.

I ate a lot of Christmas candy and yummy food tonight.   That with the excitement of Santa Claus is going to make it next to impossible to sleep tonight!   See you in the morning!!!

I love North Carolina!

It's a few days before Christmas, and I'm at the park in short sleeves!   I love this weather.

Earning my keep

I like to help out.   I know that Mom can't do it all on her own, so I'm trying to lighten the load.   I'm already very intrigued by cooking (ironic, since I don't like to eat anything).   Mom is always good sport about letting me "help."    She must value my assistance if she bought me my very own helper apron.