BigBrother crawled into bed with us at his normal waking time on Christmas morning. We had instructed him not to go to the living room; just to make a pit stop and come straight to our room. He did as he was told, as he is wont to do. He flipped and flopped in between us. I felt the excitement radiating from every surface of his little body. Christmas is here. Eventually, he spoke aloud.

“I am so excited.” And he paused. I figured he was going to say something about presents or to see what Santa had left or even mention his specific, highly-desired present. I waited, ready to come back with my line that we get what Santa brings us and we’ll be thankful no matter what.

He continued. “About that egg sandwich.”

We had decided, the previous day, that for Christmas morning breakfast — after the presents were opened and coffee was consumed — we would have egg sandwiches for breakfast. We’ve never made egg sandwiches at home, defaulting to scrambled or dippy or other variations of eggs when we have them for breakfast, so the thought of an egg sandwich was new and different. And apparently exciting. And thus a tradition has been born.

Later in the day, after all of the presents had been opened, food had been consumed and the exhaustion was beginning to set in, we started to make our way back home. It was dark, the lights on people’s houses giving us all something to look at as we silently made our way back over the river and through the woods. As always, BigBrother had something to say.

“Mommy, wasn’t it so nice…”

I waited.

“To see all of our family today?”

It was. Even nicer was to hear that my oldest son understood and appreciated that part as well. My heart grew three sizes and I breathed a bit easier. We must be doing something right. And still, he pressed it.

“It was just such a nice Christmas. Nothing went wrong.”

I agreed with him, missing that innocence of youth. I could name umpteen number of things that went wrong on Christmas day. I forgot two pretty cool presents for the boys in the back of the car. My mother-in-law felt pretty bad that she burned FireDad’s favorite pie. My back was a mess, as always. When we got home, the furnace was acting up. And so on. But to him — to both boys — it had been a perfect Christmas.

Of family. Of traditions, new and old.

Best Christmas ever, for sure.

Best Christmas Ever is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

Our Christmas, in Hourly Instagrams (and a few Bonus Pics) is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

We are:

• exhausted
• stuffed
• knee-deep in boxes, bags and wrapping paper
• blessed with the love of family and friends.

Merry Christmas. And to all a good night!

Merry Christmas 2011 is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

But I didn’t. Enjoy this blog post variation on card-mailing theme.

And, of course, Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas! Here’s the Card I Didn’t Send You! is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

This year, I scaled back. As I was sorting through presents to wrap the other night, I had a small panic attack. It just didn’t look like enough.

They won’t be disappointed on Christmas morning; Santa is still bringing them what they asked for, though it helps that they only ask Santa for one thing. Of course, the Santa that came on a fire truck to my Mother-in-Law’s house tried to derail that tradition. Santa started suggesting things they might like, and while my children had no need or want for the things he listed off, when Santa suggested them, their eyes lit up. Sorry, Santa, we need no more soldiers for me to step on with bare feet on the way to the laundry room.

There will still be a pile of presents each, but it’s less than it was last year.

I struggled with it, but kept coming back to how FireDad and I working so hard on teaching them that Christmas is not about presents. It seems like it to children, I am sure. And sometimes it even feels like it as a parent, a grown-up who should know better. I get caught up in words like “enough” and “equal” and concepts of “more” and “bigger” even as I repeat to my children, every day, “It would still be Christmas even if nothing was under the tree.” If I expect them to believe it, why am I still fretting about “enough” under the tree?

I look at what we have planned for the next few days — baking together and eating the things we bake together and Christmas music and church and our first turkey dinner and family and on and on and on. Those things — those non-things — mean more to me than any present I could possibly receive on Christmas morning. I logically understand that things wrapped in paper and bows do mean something to children who are only six and four. They also mean something to me; presents are lovely. But someday, as they figure out what Christmas means to them as adults, I hope that maybe… just maybe… these little things, the experiences of family, will mean more to them than what they unwrap on Christmas morning.

That, for me, would be the best Christmas present ever.

The Best Christmas Present Ever is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

“Ho-ho-ho! Go see Santa Claus!”

I expected this particular activity to be met with cheers and excitement. LittleBrother was excited, but BigBrother just looked at us.

“How long does it take to get to the mall?”

“About 25 minutes,” I replied. I was met with some silence as he looked at the clock.

“But mommy,” he whined in his best whine, “We won’t be here when it’s time for my computer time and I won’t be able to play Mathblasters!”

I blinked at him. “Uh, what matters more to you right now, telling Santa what you want for Christmas or math?”

“But I loooooove math.”

I mean, I should be happy. The kid likes math. That’s good stuff. I want for my kids to enjoy math and other subjects. I want them to enjoy learning, both in school and on their own time. I’m thrilled that BigBrother has already advanced his math understanding just by using his computer time to play a game. I’m overjoyed that my kid really, really likes to learn.

But, listen Scrooge McMath, sometimes we have to put our geekery aside and do something as a family and go see freaking Santa Claus, okay? IT’S JUST WHAT WE DO. Ahem.

He may have pouted the whole way to the mall, but I think he enjoyed himself.

Meanwhile, LittleBrother refused to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas unless he got to ride on one of the mall rides.

My sons have interesting priorities. Merry Christmas?

Apparently Santa Is Less Awesome Than Math is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

I’ll forget the things I should remember (timing, great ideas, ideas that should be scrapped). I’ll forget the things I want to remember (joy on faces, funny comments, the love). As such, a weekly post with the collage photos and blurbs about our experiences will make their way to the blog. Someday I’ll look back at this post and wonder if they were ever this little, if we ever had this much time and if the hustle and bustle of it all was worth it.

I assume I’ll say yes to the last question.

They were very excited to begin opening their Advent envelopes. When they learned that the box of book-shaped-presents under the tree would also get to be opened every night before bed, they were doubly excited. However, when they opened the first book, LittleBrother blinked at it and said, “We already have this.” I then had to go through the “we say thank you whenever we open anything, even if we already have it” and explain that most of the books were ones we already owned with a few others thrown in for surprise and fun. It took a few minutes of discussion, but they both eventually understood and thought it would be fun to see which book we would open every night. As always, they loved the Guernsey County Court House light show. Hot chocolate was only $0.50/cup as well, so we enjoyed an extra treat.

On days that FireDad is working, I planned to keep things easy. Hot chocolate is crazy easy, but apparently allowing them to put as many marshmallows at they want in their cup makes it the best activity. Ever. Tonight’s book, It’s Christmas, David was LittleBrother’s favorite and was met with great rejoicing.

Elf-ing someone was a lot of fun this year. BigBrother and FireDad picked our recipients. LittleBrother and I did the shopping while the other two were off deer hunting. Then we all put it together and took it off to the recipient’s house. As we didn’t want it to get caught in the rain, BigBrother called and said, “Ho, ho, ho! There’s a gift on your porch!” in his best Santa voice ever. BigBrother was especially tickled by this activity, and I’m glad they’re getting the concept of giving something to others and the joy of surprising friends.

Today we baked Candy Cane Kiss cookies. The boys unwrapped the Kisses while I mixed up the initial batter. They helped me cut up half of the Kisses and mix them in. All four of us then rolled out two dozen cookies. We got to have one for snack and, man, they are delicious. I froze a dozen for Christmas and we’ll snack on what remains of the other dozen between now and then. Our book, Llama Llama Holiday Drama, was a big hit as it was a Christmas gift book last year and they weren’t overly familiar with the story.

That’s a lot of stuff in just four days. I hope the next seven are just as wonderful for us as a family. I think in future years, I’ll have a lot more baking — with peppermint. Mmm.

Busy Advent Is Busy is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

Let’s see what’s new this year.

We’ll kick it off with this Hurrying Downstairs bear (Hallmark, 1996) which is reminiscent of last year’s (er, all time?) favorite, “Fire Pole Dancer Santa.” This little bear strikes me as a bit more innocent — and not drunk. Or stripping. He has a front spot this year.

I bought a lot of six of these Faithful Fire Fighter (Hallmark, 1993) dalmatians. That’s right. Six. Mainly because I forgot I grabbed one just before Christmas last year, so now we have seven on the tree. They’re pretty darn cute, dotting the tree. I felt pretty awesome for finding a lot of six, no box, for the price of one regular Hallmark ornament though. Best price record!

I bought Donald the Firefighter at the Disney Store in Times Square when I went to NYC for BlogHer Writers ’11. I think that trip made a new shopping goal for trips we make: trying to find a firefighter themed ornament. It could be fun!

I kind of love this Firefighter Wreath (Hallmark, 2006) ornament. I’d kind of like to have a real sized one on our door. An old hose, a bell, a glove and an axe. Well, minus the axe. I think an axe on your door says, “Hey! Break me down!” Let’s not go that far.

These three small ornaments are nothing spectacular, but deserve to be featured as they are new to the Fire Tree. On the left we have North Pole 911 (Hallmark, 1995). It’s a mouse, and as such, it’s very cheesy. In the center we have Hallmark Miniature Series Ornament Fire Brigade #3, 2006. It is very small. I have another miniature on the tree somewhere — and have lost it. I may have to start a miniature tree for these specific “miniature” ones. I’ll consider it for next year. Last we have Firefighting Bear (Hallmark, 1994). The whole “Red Hot Holiday” is very Holiday Innuendo Guy.

This is the Snoopy I mentioned scoring right before Christmas last year. I love him lots. He’s hanging out right in FireDad’s eyesight when he’s relaxing in his recliner.

Of course we have the annual ornament from Robert’s Fire Catalog from 2010. I’m sure 2011 will join us this year, even though it’s blue.

And now? The best find of 2011. Sadly, it’s not as funny as last year. But it’s a hard find. And it’s mine.

Mmm-hmm. That’s a Santa’s Fire Engine, Here Comes Santa, from 1985. I won’t really get into the ages that FireDad and I were in that year, but know that FireDad already knew he wanted to be a firefighter. So it’s a welcome addition to our Christmas tree. There are about a dozen or so of these on eBay right now, ranging from $0.01 (overseas, beware) to $45.00! I think $12.00 — shipped — is a fine deal for an old ornament!

I realized this year that I need to start a spreadsheet (yes!) for all of our firefighter ornaments, specifically the Hallmark ones. While I enjoy having seven fire dalmatians on the tree, it wasn’t a purposeful purchase. Keeping track will help avoid wasted shipping. Then again, what’s the harm in more firefighter ornaments? I mean, I’m pretty sure Santa already has two more Hallmark ornaments in the plans for this year, as well as that stinkin’ blue one. I’d say that I’m banning myself from eBay until after Christmas is over, but we know that won’t happen. I have my eyes on a 2003 “Ruff and Tuff Hero,” which I haven’t been able to score as of yet. If you get it for me, I’ll love you forever!

I think I have to start another post as well for the other firefighter Christmas stuff we have around the house that can’t actively hang on the tree due to size. Look for that soon!

Fire Tree, 2011 is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

This year we’re doing the activity envelopes, recycled from last year and adding a book a night to unwrap. I’m sharing both processes with you here right now.

I saved all of our envelopes from last year, minus two that disappeared. I was completely out of Christmas scrapping paper, as I honestly don’t scrap anymore, so I got creative and used a few of the Christmas cards that we saved from last year. I think this adds a nice touch to the calendar seeing as how one of the cards I used was from my Grandma. You can find the template for the envelopes at Andrea’s site.

I stuffed them all this year ahead of time, checking our family calendar, my husband’s fire department work shift calendar and all of the things we have to do. I decided not to put any weather dependent things on our list this year (sled riding, etc) because I didn’t like switching things out and worrying about what the weather was doing. I don’t need more stress during the holidays! And so, our calendar is hanging up in our dining room, ready to go for December 1st!

Here’s what’s on our list this year:

• Watch the Guernsey County Court House Light Show
• Make hot chocolate
• Elf someone
• Bake peppermint cookies
• Make ornaments for Grandmas (I’d share the link, but they read)
• Take toy donation to our local Secret Santa program
• Watch a Christmas movie in jammies
• Stuff, stamp and mail our Christmas cards
• Write our letters to Santa
• Attend the Cambridge Singers Christmas concert
• Go to LittleBrother’s Christmas program
• Visit Santa!
• Celebrate Munchkin’s birthday with cupcakes
• Decorate paper trees with glitter paint (a hit from last year)
• Build a puzzle in front of the tree
• Go to Nina’s for a surprise!
• Donate canned goods to a local pantry
• Make teacher gifts!
• Write a Christmas story as a family
• Winter begins! Make snowflakes!
• Time capsule letters!
• Game night in front of the tree — everyone gets to pick one game!
• Unwrap one present (it’s jammies!)
• Read the birth of Jesus from the Bible before we open presents.

Exhausting — but wonderful. I’m really trying to focus on doing things together this year — everything from making gifts for teachers to all of our normal donations to baking to just hanging out. It’s very important to me for them to recognize the importance of those things, whether during this time of year or not.

Which is why we also decided to implement the Book Advent Calendar as well. It’s all over Pinterest and the blogosphere this year, and I almost didn’t blog it. But I thought, at the very least, adding our extensive Christmas book library to the discussion might be helpful.

I didn’t have trouble filling 24 days with Christmas books. In fact, I couldn’t put all of our Christmas books into the calendar. We have over 30. A few of them are new for this holiday season, purchase via the boys’ November Scholastic book orders from school, but the rest have been purchased over the years. I pulled all the ones we own last month, added in the new ones and sorted through which ones I thought would be best to read this year.

Here’s our book list:

• No Room at the Inn: The Nativity Story
• It’s Christmas, David!
• MOOSELTOE
• Llama Llama Holiday Drama
• A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas
• Froggy’s Best Christmas
• Tonight You Are My Baby: Mary’s Christmas Gift
• The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving
• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• Ho, Ho, Ho, Tucker!
• Little Porcupine’s Christmas
• Tyrannoclaus
• A Cars Christmas
• God Gave Us Christmas
• The Spirit of Christmas
• The Polar Express
• A Small Christmas
• Mary’s Baby
• Christmas in the Barn
• This Is the Stable
• Who Is Coming to Our House?
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
• The Night Before the Night Before Christmas
• Firefighter’s Night Before Christmas

Books not wrapped include a The Night Before Christmas Look and Find and a Rudolph Look and Find as those don’t work well for my two as bedtime books. I also had a handful of board books that need to be passed on as well as a pop-up nativity. I also chose not to wrap Veggie Tales: The Star of Christmas (because it takes eons to read) or either version of The Night Before Christmas since we’re reading The Firefighter’s Night Before Christmas. Also, the boys love the one that my parents recorded for them last year and would have missed it had I wrapped it!

The idea is to open one wrapped book every night and read it together in front of the tree. The boys are already curious as to what the wrapped, book-looking-like objects in the box under the tree are for, but I haven’t told them yet. I like keeping the holiday mystery for as long as possible.

Last year, we opened our Advent activity envelope at random times during the day, sometimes right before bed. This year, we’re opening it while they eat breakfast before school. Every slip of paper also says, “Don’t forget to open a book tonight!” So we’ll know the activity all day — and be less likely to have to rush to fit it into our schedule — and we’ll remember to open a book at bedtime. Not that I think they’d let me forget the books once they figure out what we’re doing.

I am hopeful that this will be another holiday season to remember for our family. The boys are a year older this year and it strikes me as most important to continue both building tradition and teaching them those core values that we hold so dear. Is it more work for me? For my husband? Yes and yes. Is it worth it. I believe so.

Are you doing any family activities this season?

Our Advent Season Activities and Book List for 2011 is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

Ignore Santa’s glassy gaze and instead look at the joy on Booey’s face.

… but it’s also riding in that fire truck with Santa in the parade.

(And staying warm and dry while everyone else is cold and wet. Score.)

Santa Came to Town on a Fire Truck is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.