The Hansens: Christmas '13

Christmas was soooooo fun this year! Scarlett turned 20 months right before Christmas and understood the idea of getting presents and opening them! She loved opening each present and always did a "oh wow!" face and reaction when she saw what was inside. She is so theatrical with her expressions I love it. She also understood who Santa was and loved watching her Dora the Explorer Christmas dvd. We had a Santa in our house that rocked back and forth and played Christmas music (Doug's old favorite Christmas decoration as a kid) and Scarlett called him "Tanta!" and would give him and the Christmas tree a kiss every night before going to bed. And now every time she sees a white haired and beareded man she cries "Tanta!" We also started "The Elf of the Shelf" tradition this year, and although she didn't understand yet that our Christmas "Elfie" travelled back to the North Pole each night to report to Santa, she did understand that every morning when she woke up she had to find Elfie. Each night we would hide Elfie in a new spot and she walked through the house calling "Elfie" until she found it. On Christmas morning we hid Elfie in the top of her stocking so that when she pulled her out she would see all the other fun stuff in her stocking that Santa Brought her. We also had a special gift this year of puppies! The Hansens dog had puppies on Thanksgiving, which means they were full of energy and ready to play around Christmas. Scarlett loved it! And we loved seeing all her reactions and learn all the fun traditions that go with Christmas. It truly is the most magical time of the year!!