This year, I felt like the pressure was on more than ever, to create and preserve the Christmas magic. Ryder has questioned the legitimacy of Santa when the holidays started, as a result of conversations around school. After some convincing, all three still believe so I wanted to step it up, because I can’t know how many more years this mystical innocence will last, especially for my big boy.

The day after Thanksgiving, we had our first daily visit by our three elves, Chippy, Snowflake, and Amo (or is it Almo? Not sure, because Gemmie named her when she was just a baby). Over the years, we’ve picked out some new clothes for them, so each day they show up in a new outfit. And each morning, we spoke with Santa on our little North Pole communicator, that we bought from Hallmark years ago.

The day before school let out, we went see the tree in Rockefeller Center, followed by the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with friends. After that, I think we were all bursting with the Christmas spirit.

In the week leading up to the big day, my intent is always to wrap and hide some presents each evening, so the we are not left with hours of work on Christmas eve. These plans were thwarted by an agonizing head cold I picked up during our weekend away. My cold lingered for days, leaving me out of commission, so wrapping would need to wait. By the time Christmas Eve came, as cliche as it may sound, I literally had to drag myself out of bed, to make it to dinner with Jason’s side of the family. With less than 3 hours of sleep under my belt, I knew I needed to rally, and just push through. After what turned out to be a fun dinner despite how I felt, we returned home, put the kids to bed. Then Jason and I stayed up wrapping package and building toys until 2am. I’ve never been up that late to wrap, and didn’t want to leave all the work to Jason. Not to mention, I enjoy watching the kids rip open the paper we wrapped together.

The kids usually love everything, but every year each of them have a stand out present which tops their list. Ryder was excited for his drone, Siella completely elated with her new instant camera, and Gemma loved her Moana get up. As if it couldn’t get any better, all three of them pulled from under the tree, cards they made for Jason and I. Totally, the best gift ever.

We spent the entire morning lounging, playing with new toys, and munching on reindeer pancakes (a Christmas morning tradition), before heading to see my parents and siblings.

At my mom and dad’s house, we experienced what seemed like another Christmas morning of exchanging presents. As we sat down to dinner, I was so excited we pulled off another year of magic. I really hope we can squeeze just one more (or two if I can be greedy!) for Ryder.

I am truly thankful for my beautiful family, this holiday season. It truly is such a special time of year. Hope you and your family all had a wonderful (and magical!) Christmas.