Christmas

On Christmas Eve we have a tradition that is almost as old as I am in which my dad reads "Twas The Night Before Christmas" to all of the children. While I love that we have a tradition like this, it becomes a little more boring every year to feign interest enough so that when my mom takes pictures I don't look like a moron. This year wasn't so bad, I don't know why, but I found it easier to pay attention. I do enjoy listening to my dad read stories, he has a very soothing story-telling voice.

Christmas morning we have another tradition where we are not allowed to come downstairs until everyone is awake and my parents say we can (this usually ends up being around 7:00 or so), at that point there is a stampede down the stairs and a mad dash to the Christmas tree. We have a penchant for setting records of Christmas opening, this year was actually pretty slow, it took us all 15-20 minutes to get through all the presents, hahaha. I was ridiculously excited to open presents this year more than last year, because I knew I would be getting more than two presents (last year I got an iPod and a movie and a giftcard, end of story). Later, I began wondering when this would end for me, when would be the last Christmas that I could expect this level of happiness from presents that "Santa" gave me; when would be the last Christmas that it would be acceptable to ask for a Harry Potter lunch box (I got a new one, it's awesome) or any other "childish" gift like that.

Today my mom turns 45. Right now she is trying to master Guitar Hero. I think she has successfully completed one song thus far. :D