Well, I must say, I think Christmas at our house went really well, despite Maddy feeling pretty crappy. She was great opening her gifts. She spent a lot of time on each one as she opened them, but I was able to redirect her back to opening gifts after she had some time to play with the one before. She also handled us opening our presents just fine, although she wanted attention from Grandma and Grandpa. But she didn't try to open ours and when she found out they were 'mama's and daddy's' she didn't try to insist on being part of it. She really isn't a 'mine' kind of girl. She shares well with friends and understands when we don't let her have something that is ours. I don't know, maybe it's because she's never really had to fight over something to have it or is not having things taken away from her from siblings, but she's not very possessive.
I would have to say that her favorite toys are her new cell phone (which came with a purse and other accessories) that looks JUST like mommy's (really, it does) and makes realistic sounds and her microwave. It has a turn table that actually works, a light, a timer and tells you when it's finished. She LOVES it because I use our microwave all the time. She especially loves the soup and bacon settings because that's how I make our soup and turkey bacon.
I have to say that I use our microwave 3x more than our stove. I use it for virtually everything. That's not to say I don't use our stove, I am just very efficient about it. I cook double batches of most everything I make and freeze half. The frozen stuff gets defrosted in the microwave to eat. I also always warm up left overs in the microwave as well.
I need to write some thank you notes for the gifts Maddy has received, so I'll get on that this afternoon. Right now I'm in the middle of a few loads of much needed laundry. I'm sitting down while I can though, while she's asleep. She slept a lot better last night. She slept straight from 7-1 and then 2:30-7. Even better, she slept in her own bed for that whole time. She and I tried to sleep together in bed but I think she just couldn't get comfortable so I rocked her for a bit and then laid her in her own bed. Out she went like a light! Yeah! So I went down to the couch and retrieved Matt who was down there.
Maddy had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa though. She was very snuggly so they were able to spend some great quality snuggle time together. I just hope they don't get her illness. Matt made a s'mores pie yesterday afternoon and the pudding part of the recipe was to DIE for. YUM... It reminded me of my grandmother's but I actually think this one was better. ;) The jambalaya went over well, too. It was really good if I do say so myself! Matt's mom steamed some fresh veggies and added some salt, pepper and smart balance and can I just say I thought those were HEAVENLY.
Maddy did really well at the dinner table on Christmas eve but not as well Christmas day. She wanted to be held by daddy and didn't want to sit in the big-girl chair at the table. But she was feverish and it had been a long day, so I didn't really blame her.
Matt's parents left this morning. Maddy was sad to see them go. But she will be seeing them soon while Matt takes his week of vacation and him and I go away for a few days. We don't know where, but somewhere within driving distance. Grandma and Grandpa said they'd be great with coming up for an extended weekend, so that's definitely something for all of us to look forward to.
I put up pictures of our gift opening in our gallery. So if you'd like to see them, click here.
Tea of the day: Coffee again! I'll have some afternoon tea soon though. I'm a bit chilly.