Christmas Eve

Everyone's patience has a limit, particularly those of us aged 4 and under, so we broke with tradition this year and opened our stockings in the morning on Christmas Eve. Here's what was in the girls':

 

Zhu zhu hamsters, which Sophia decorated. This is my kind of pet--no feeding, exercising, or cleaning required, just the odd battery change.

 Unfortunately an emergency hamsterectomy was required early on, but all is well now.

 Alathea's new ballet slippers--for a girl who likes to put on shoes!

 New fuzzy felt accessories for Sophia

 

 Wes made his family's tradition, biscuit cookies.

 

 

 We attended the Christingle service at our church. Sophia is holding her Christingle. The orange reminds us that God made the world and gave us many good things to enjoy (represented by the sweets). Jesus is the light of the world (the candle), and the red ribbon reminds us that He came to die for our salvation.

 The Christingle's sweets kept Alathea gainfully employed.

 Both girls loved the puppet show, the second act at the Christingle service. Alathea liked them so much that when we returned for the Christmas day service, she kept asking where they were?

Walking home after church.