Just before Christmas, we packed the suburban and drove 11 hours to the Great White North. Our first stop was the Longo home. Papa, Mimi, and Zia had planned a special outing for the boys: a train ride on a real steam engine! Henry and John were in heaven. Henry still carries his ticket in his coat pocket as a "souvenir."
The boys did some baking for Santa (and themselves). Henry did most of the cooking, while John did the cleaning. They both enjoy the eating.
On Christmas Eve, we sat down for our traditional Italian, seafood feast. Henry talked Great Papa's ear off at dinner. And Great Papa listened intently to all Henry had to say about trains. John was cutting two incisors, so he was a crabby mess who only wanted to eat raisins and cookies (and I gladly obliged to keep the peace). After dinner, Papa read "Twas the Night before Christmas." And it was just in the nick of time, as John was begging for Advil and bed. Henry stayed up to enjoy "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake, and gingerbread cookies. He left a few uneaten for Santa.
The next morning, the boys knew the drill - another mad dash to the tree! They found one of the gifts they had been asking for under a massive amount of wrapping paper: a mini trampoline! After plenty of jumping, they ripped open gift after gift. Their faces were those of pure delight. After plenty of playing and a yummy breakfast, we packed up for our next Christmas at the Makris home. But not without one last laugh at Papa, Mimi, and Zia's annual Christmas pajamas! The boys went home with matching pairs too.
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