We had a great Christmas.

There were a couple minor meltdowns, but I credit those to the three little ones functioning on very little sleep because they were just SO EXCITED for Christmas.

LIKE SO EXCITED.

And seeing Number 4 who is twelve years old wanting to sleep later this morning, I know there are only a few more years before all the kids are sleeping late and I’m the first one up in the morning, wondering when everyone is going to wake up.

So I don’t mind the super excited, super early wake ups.

They are fleeting.

All the kids were home last night.

For the first time in about five years, all seven of them woke up in the house on Christmas morning.

That was the greatest gift of all.

To have the whole family together.

The present opening frenzy began a little after 7 a.m.

They were super happy and super appreciative.

It took approximately ten minutes for all the gifts to be opened.

I got an electric griddle.

I was so excited.

Yes, by an electric griddle.

I have wanted one for about four years.

Do you know how long it takes to make pancakes for six or seven or eight or nine people in one pan?

It takes a long time.

I suppose I could have gotten the thing myself.

But I just never did.

And rather than hoping my husband would miraculously get me something I really wanted and could use, I went a different route.

I was very direct.

My husband took the three little guys shopping last week because they wanted to buy presents for everyone.

Usually they end up getting me a bunch of stuff that’s just, well, quite honestly, a bunch of junk.

And I know they mean well, but it’s such a waste.

So I said to my husband, “If you really want to get me something I want and will use, I really want an electric griddle.”

My husband looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language.

“You mean a hot plate?” he asked.

So I took a screenshot of exactly what I wanted and I texted it to him.

“This can be from the three of them,” I told him.

And that’s how I got my electric griddle.

I haven’t been that excited on Christmas in a long time.

I made eggs and pancakes for nine people for breakfast in about ten minutes.

It was SO AWESOME.

I am going to cook ALL THE FOOD on that thing.

I seriously love it.

After breakfast, I got the obligatory shot of all the kids in front of the tree. This was the best one I got.

I posted it on Facebook for my friends.

It served as my Christmas card as I stopped sending those out about four or five years ago.

Too much stress and pressure to get the perfect picture.

This one above with a blurry Number 6 who couldn’t keep still is a much more accurate representation of real life, anyway.

I went for a three mile run after the mayhem died down.

I needed some time alone.

I love running on winter holidays.

There is nobody on the road and it’s so quiet and peaceful.

I came home, took a shower, and we loaded into the car and headed to my parents’ house.

They live about twenty-five minutes away.

I LOVE going to their house on Christmas because when we get there, I know my work is done.

Their house is always neat and warm and of course it’s the house I grew up in, so it’s always comforting and home to me.

The kids had round two of Christmas.

So did I.

You know what I got?

A LABEL MAKER.

I squealed with delight upon opening it.

Number 4 said, “Oh my God, Mom. You are officially an old lady when you say that about a label maker.”

She’s right. But I don’t care.

You know what I’m going to label?

ALL THE THINGS.

EVERYTHING.

I am going to label the sh*t out of my house this week.

The kids started for me by labeling the label maker.

Not only did I get an electric griddle and a label maker.

I also got a new robe.

I LOVE MY NEW ROBE.

In fact, I put it on over my clothes and I wore it for the rest of the day.

After all the presents were opened, the kids went outside and played some football.

Me?

I fell asleep on my parents’ living room floor for about an hour.

We ate ham and Swedish meatballs and lasagna for dinner and then had ice cream and pie and spritz cookies for dessert.

Then the kids got into their pajamas — we brought them with us — before we headed home.

We loaded back into the car and I drove home, my new robe still on top of my clothes.

And that was our Christmas.

We really had a great day.

Like not a fake perfect Facebook or Instagram post kind of day, but just a really, really, really nice day.

But boy am I looking forward to getting back to a normal routine.

Congratulations, Moms! You made it, too!

Enjoy the day “off” tomorrow.

And from my family to yours, Merry Christmas!!!