The 6 months of Christmas

David's six months of Christmas, which extends from the early Christmas presents he receives at Thanksgiving through Gotcha Day in May, is in full swing. Last Monday we had an early Christmas with Grandma, Grandpa, GG, Uncle Dave and his fiancee. The run away hit of the night was David's (first of three this Christmas) tool set. He insisted on opening it first and spent the rest of the evening wearing his ear protectors and sawing Grandma's furniture.
Ear protectors are necessary not just for working with power tools but for helping Grandma open presents as well.

David has also been taking full advantage of the winter weather. Tuesday Alma took him sledding with Sabrina and took some pictures in the spirit of the Christmas Story snowsuit.

We left Wednesday evening for Columbia and made it to Nahnee and 'Ramma's house without much difficulty despite sleet and freezing rain in Chicago. We went to church Christmas Eve, and, much to Kevin's dismay, followed that up with the annual LaBorde viewing of Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. If you don't know how Santa makes it down all those skinny little chimneys with his big brag of presents, you really must see it.
We had a very low key Christmas day. I stayed in my pajamas all day, and David had a great time opening all his gifts. Unlike last year, when it took over a week to finish going through his pile, he tore through all of his presents and everyone else's in no time and then demanded "more Santa!"
David with items from tool sets #2 and 3

Another picture in his stylish new safety vest and his Gamecocks basketball jersey.

Christmas Day was low key because my parents invite every single person they know to their house the day after for a Boxing Day get together. It is a lot of fun, and you can't beat grits, wings and a Chick-fil-A party platter. Yum. We got to visit with lots of family and friends, and David got to play with some of his SC buddies, including the lovely Haley and Kendall. We also went over to Haley and Kendall's house later that evening and watched David and the girls ignore their newly opened Christmas gifts in favor of running back and forth across the living room as fast as they could for the better part of half an hour.

Torturing Bette. Playing with Haley (who was a fan of David's safety goggles)

Having fun at H & K's house

We made it home just before 1:00am last night/this morning. It will probably take a few days to get back into our routine and detox David from the nonstop attention he received over the weekend. So far he seems to be recovering quite nicely. He had a good time going to Sabrina's gymnastics competition this morning and spent the afternoon playing with all his loot.

Based on this picture, I think my decision to sign him up for gymnastics was a good one. The yellow hat has a working light which will no doubt drive poor Pete to the brink of insanity.