christmas eve

last year we started the tradition of letting the kids give their gifts to each other on christmas eve.  this makes the day so special and exciting for them and gives them something fun to do while chris and i make the food and get the house ready for the christmas brunch crew that comes to our house christmas morning.

the kids were so excited to give their gifts.  and this year they had a few shopping days at school where the kids could buy and wrap christmas gifts.

christopher gave john john some silly bands and little tops that light up...

his reactions to his gifts were hilarious this year.  he would open a present and shout 'yes!'  'i love it!' - it cracked us up and made the gift giving even that much more fun.

ella got andrew these adorable wristbands (which he has already worn while shooting hoops out front)...

christopher bought ella the two things she had loved at the school shopping store.  a gum ball machine...

and a panda bear necklace that came in a panda shaped velvety box...

christopher was so excited to give them to her because he knew how much she adored and wanted them.   it was so sweet of him.

andrew gave christopher a calvin and hobbs book to add to his collection...

and christopher gave andrew a star wars lego book that came with mini lego sets to build.  he found this online and thought andrew would love it.  he was so excited to give it to his brother...

it is so wonderful to see the excitement the kids have for buying gifts for each other with their own money and how happy it makes them to give them to each other.  i sure love watching them make each other happy in this way.