Friday after school we immediately drove to GR for a 6:30pm reservation with the family VE. We were early so we poked around Centerpointe Mall. Not very crowded for Christmas Eve-Eve. Dinner went well. The entire family was there and prime rib delicious. All 3 boys (ages 4, 2-1/2, and 2 & 4 months) played well together.

Friday night spent at family VE's house. Roman didn't get to bed until 10pm! Saturday morning did brunch and presents, then played. S&S flew off to her family's around 1:30, Doug and I left about 4pm for my family.

Arrived at family S's house in time for a glass of wine before dinner. My grandmother was there, which was a pleasure to visit with her. 87 years old with attitude. Roman went to bed around 8 or 8:30 after leaving out cookies for Santa (made by his Grandpa and cousin Iris the week before) and having the Santa-stocking connection explained.

Roman squawked at about 6:30am Christmas morning but didn't remember that Santa was to have been there. We were able to keep him reigned in the room until 7am when Baba came to get us and said that everyone was up. Santa also left Roman a big art easel set up with dry-erase markers (markers found last-minute, 10pm at Walgreen's Xmas Eve!). He walked into the living room and then stopped; long pause; then went trotting over to check his stocking. A Buzz Lightyear stuffed doll was poking out the top, along with a Handy-Dandy Notebook (from Blue's Clues) and a toy from Russia. Inside the stocking was also lots of fruit snacks!

Christmas morning proceeded with everyone opening gifts. Roman did very well, admiring everything with an occasional "oh, wow!" Then breakfast brunch and back in the car.

We traversed to my aunt & uncle's house, where the "extended family" Christmas was held. All Roman's young cousins save 2 were there; one was with his mother's family (divorce) and the other had actually gotten physically sick from the excitement of Christmas. Roman played very well with Iris & Eli, and the bigger kids fawned all over him. In fact, there was a good half-hour where Roman played in the basement with the kids while the adults did a gag-gift game and no one got into trouble!

Currently Roman is staying with my parents, to be returned tomorrow. We took advantage of this a number of ways:
1. Dinner & a movie Monday night. Slept in until 9:30am.
2. Doug installed a ceiling fan in our room and cleaned his workroom out.
3. I cleaned out all Roman's toys & books to make room for new, and packed up two boxes to put in storage.
4. A new bathroom floor will be installed tomorrow.
5. I ran errands very quickly.
6. Dinner out again tonight.