Eve

It's approaching 3PM and J. is upstairs busily wrapping. I realized this morning what was missing - the master chart that I've made every year since we've been in Tracy. The list of gifts we've purchased and the status of each - wrapped? From who? etc. So we created that pretty easily and now J's following the 'plan' and wrapping away. He's almost done - making this evening so much easier. We will return from church and be pretty much 'done' other than setting up the scavenger hunt and bringing the Santa stuff downstairs. This year, we've even decided to bring down gifts from us to each other BEFORE we go to church. The boys like the big 'impact' of having very few things under the tree and then 'WOW' on Christmas morning - but with parents who are close to 50 (me) and 60 (J.), something's got to give. There are only so many trips up and down the stairs we can make after a long day. We will enlist their help in getting those items under the tree - and then the excitement will start to build. They'll realize it's really here! Even Chloe's getting excited - she's been running around doing her torpedo dog imitation a good part of the day. She has presents under the tree, too. :-)

We had to hustle out this morning to get one more gift for H. - to keep things even. The list clarified what's what and we were short...so we picked up another item from his list. He will be surprised - pleasantly, I hope.

I have the scavenger clues written. Need to start the printing of clues, labels for envelopes, etc. Will set it up in the wee hours of the morning. It'll be fun.

I have pork ribs simmering in the oven - they will go with homemade chowmein - a filling, easy dinner before we go to church. Then home for the Santa Clause and cocoa.

Our two closest grocery stores were all out of eggnog so B. went merrily to the store he works at and got some. He also picked up a few other things I needed - which was a big help. He can't be without eggnog - it's his once a year splurge (calorie wise) and he loves it. And having made eggnog lattes for everyone at work the last day we were there, I have to agree they are pretty darn yummy. I'll make them tomorrow morning, as well as pumpkin lattes! Yummy!

I hope your Christmas Eve Day/Night is full of excitement and blessings! I've got to go wrap gifts for J.!