Although It's Been Said Many Times, Many Ways...

Merry Christmas...to you, gaggle of Crawford children.

From my perspective, it's always better to give than receive, and has been for some years now. But I'll say it right here and now, at the risk of being a horrible parent: the longer they can hold fast to the pure joy of receiving, the better. Who gets this excited over Cherry Sours in her Christmas stocking?
Or new underwear? That he opened in front of all the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, without even blushing?

Or these silly bands, soon to be absconded on a random coffee table, never again to be touched? But thoroughly cherished for those blessed few hours comprising Christmas Eve?

Eve is a classic giver, and not only picked out this Nerf basketball hoop for Ty on her Chrismas shopping trip with daddy (one of the season's highlights for each of them), she smothered him with this bear hug - how priceless is this moment for a mom, and how priceless for them? That they shop for each other, chose each other's gifts to open on Christmas Eve, that they're so grateful to each other? This is what you pray and work for, all day long, if you're in my shoes.

Ty outdid himself with the gift-giving - fashion design mannequin for Evie, fashion stencils for Gracie? Just watch him work that room!

This is a stereotypical Santa delivery, the crazy-expensive, coveted swim parka. All status, all the time.

This is the look of pure Christmas joy: he got the fishing pole he's been coveting since summer. It's hysterical to us that he has this deep passion - neither of us has ever shown the slightest interest in fishing, were born to parents who have never shown the slightest interest in fishing, who were probably born to parents who had never shown the slightest interst in fishing. But it moves his soul, baby. You might even say that a river runs through it.

More familial bonding. This time, over a batting helmet. It slays me, like a dragon.

Foodstuffs are a gal's best friend. Cherry sours and jerky. A dentist's nightmare.

Runner-up to Ty's fishing pole pic for capturing the spirit of the season...Grace has coveted this little remote-controlled puppy since Nickelodeon first introduced the commercials this last fall, and the Crawford grandparents made their darling angel's dreams come true. Did I mention that she pants and barks, incessantly? The dog, not Gracie.

And don't even think of flicking that "Off" switch.