Monday, December 28, 2009

A Very Merry Christmas

Christmas this year was just as exciting and magical for me as it was when I was a kid. Several months ago I bought a Thomas the Train set and table for Henry off of ksl.com and have been so excited to give it to him. Some might think that a 16-month old is too young to understand Christmas or be excited about a toy but not our Henry. He has been obsessed with trains ever since his three-year-old cousin Luke moved in. Yes, trains are a big source of contention around here and lately Henry stands at the top of the stairs and shakes the gate gabbering and whining about going downstairs to play with Luke’s trains. We took him to a toy store where they had a Thomas the Train track set up and he played the whole time while we shopped. When it was time to go there was more kicking and screaming than I have ever seen.

And so…when our big Santa’s Secret Helper moment finally arrived, Chris and I were totally enthralled setting up the train track and all of the accessories. When it was done Chris asked where the battery operated Thomas was. I had to dig it out of the stocking so that we could send it for a run around the track.

When I woke up the next morning Santa had added a surprise that I did not even know about, a small table and chairs for Henry. I was so excited to find this surprise that I almost ruined the breakfast casserole. It was an amazing site. There is just something so wonderful about the site of the tree and presents on Christmas morning. I guess it comes from my childhood, but it is so magical.

Henry’s reaction to it all was great. He ran over to the train table and immediately began pushing trains along the track. He pursed his lips and said “ohhhhh,” several times and bounced up and down in excitement. We could not pull him away from the trains long enough to open his other presents. We actually opened his last two presents the next morning; between his trains and grandmas house he was a very busy boy. As for the adorable table and chairs that Chris surprised me with (he said it was more a present for me than for Henry) I must say that it warms my heart to see Henry sitting there coloring or looking at a book. I am thrilled that he now has his own special little place to learn and discover.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too. Here are a few pictures for uncle Ryan in Arizona. Thanks for the Shake N’ Go car Ry. Those cars are his next favorite after the trains. Happy Holidays.