AJ has been reminding us periodically over the last few weeks that his life will only be complete if he gets this Excalibur sword that he fell in love with for Christmas. Connor really wanted a sniper rifle air soft gun and of course Matt asked for some butterfly knife. Kirk has been telling them there probably won't be weapons for Christmas this year. But who can resist AJ saying in all seriousness, 'My life won't be complete without Excalibur" hello? Adorable. The kids woke up at 7 which is actually a early Christmas morning for us, But one of my favorite things is waking up to them whispering to each other while looking for the banister! Once we went down AJ ran for any "sword shaped presents". I reminded him we do the stockings first, he grabbed his, dumped it out and ran back to a sword shaped present. Which wasn't a sword. He and Connor both got this long gripping gizmo that they love to play with at target, silly but cheap and they loved it. He did like it but ran to find another sword shaped present, which was of course Excalibur. He held it and stroked it and held it up saying I have the power, not like Ken and He-Man but with all due reverence. He then sat on the couch completely content with his sword. We got a real smile out of Matt when he got his stereo system for his room and a laser light how that attaches to it and plays lights with his music. When I pointed out a huge present with AJ's name on it he hugged it before opening it, and once he pulled back the paper and saw what was in the box he was completely speechless and didn't move for maybe 30seconds which is a full hour in Aj time! It was the drums that he has asked for I think for over 2 years. We kept telling him how expensive they are. But my goal with my first check was to buy AJ drums and I did, it felt very good. they are perhaps a little big for him, but I have a drum teacher lined up and we'll ask if it's ok. When Connor first saw AJ's sword he said, AJ gets a weapon? Needless to say he was beyond thrilled when he got is sniper rifle. It can shoot a mailbox flag all the way down the street, and he has promised to not prove it again :) Elle got a desk with a hutch to replace the small desk she has been using for the last 5 years, it's the little one Dad made me when I was her age. All in all it was a crazy but amazing Christmas morning. Everyone was happy and they are still playing with everything. I helped Elle put up her wall stickers this afternoon, she wore her new silver locket with Kirk and my pictures inside and the shawl Grandma Judy made her to church, Kirk is helping Matt and Connor built something like a radio bug, and AJ is carving AJ was here in Christmas boxes. Last night AJ had a long box and every arm and leg and was walking around the tv room, finally one creaked and snapped and he fell as I was taking a picture, I admit I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants. Not something I should admit, but somehow it made it all the funnier and the kids commented that I was cracking as I laughed hysterically at it all. Needless to say it felt good! Matt loves his stereo surround sound, new itouch etc, Connor loves all his stuff including the spy camera now mounted outside his door. Kirk got some parts to finish up his AR-15 and I will be going to costco this week to get my garmin sport watch that is on sale and hopefully still there!