First Christmas

 Laytons first Christmas. 

This year was very special because not only was it laytons first Christmas it was also the first Christmas that Ariyah understood. She was only 9 weeks old at her first Christmas then just turn one last year. Therefore she was too young to understand Santa and about giving and being thankful. It was also lockdown and covid last year so it meant we did not get to see anyone really, just doorstop visits from grandparents. 

But this year we determine to make it special. We got her involved in decorating the house, she helped with hanging things on the tree, told us were to put other things. She stuck stitcher on the windows. Layton loved the lights and would lay watching them. He also like tinsel although kept trying to eat it. 

Did did art with ariyah and baked Christmas biscuits. She was so excited by everyone's lights and decorations meaning we had to do lots of walks in the evening for her to see them all when it was dark. 

First trip to see Santa- so we booked to see sonata in canterbury where our friends and their daughter ariyah cousin (choose LGBT+ family) came with us. The girls were excited however ones we got in there ariyah had a meltdown because she didn't like Santa, saying bye let's go.. all done lol 😂. Layton sat with our niece to get a photo with Santa but unfortunately ariyah choose not too. They got little puzzle from him. And then we all went Christmas shopping and has some lunch. 

Fee days later we went to a Christmas market and ariyah briefly saw Santa walking around so we managed to get a family photo with him. She was better, only cried a bit. We then saw Santa again when they did the sledge charity ride around Ashford. So we watched him go past our house and sang Nd danced along. She still cried and wanted to go the other way or indoors.depit constantly asking to see the Christmas man, which is what she called him. 

But hopefully next year she will have seen and remember and be alot better when she that bit older. Layton oviously being 3 months only 16 weeks is too young  to know who he is but he liked the lights and music. 

We were about to meet up with friends and family this year which was special in itself being in lockdown for so long. We met with friends and cousins to play and exstrange presents, leading up to Christmas. 

Ben's family well his aunt and cousin come to see the kids and give them presents for a few hours. Ariyah interacted abit more with them especially her aunt Ellie who 17 and see Ellie actually play with her. As unfortunately ariyah and Layton now is always left out when it comes to Ben's side. But they been trying abit more. 

Had a friend from london come and stay with his baby for few days which was great to spend more time with them. We went to soft play and Christmas group. His daughter was 15 months so was lovely see how ariyah interacted and helped her. Could see what she was going to be like when Layton first starts walking and playing. Layton also loved her and smiled and followed her wanting to play. She was so general and loved him too. So so lovely watching our kids have to bond together and being able to have our long term friends have kids and then watch them be friends. Something special about that. 

We also had lots of baby groups that we attended so they had little Christmas parties on the last sessions where ariyah and layton got teats and presents it was lovely. Then the week before Christmas we just spent time as us, playing, dancing, baking, doing art. We went swimming and soft play and just generally had our time. 

On Christmas Eve we had my mum and step dad over, they here for a few hours to see the kids and give them presents. Was nice to see them and ariyah loved her grandad. So they played while mum showed us about the new TV her old smart TV which she gave us. Was nice seeing my mum and ariyah play with the modeling clay they brought her as usually she does like that stuff. She did run and scream at first but mum was very calm and gradually got her touching it. They had cuddles and play with Layton now he bigger was nice to see my step dad interact with Layton as he really not a baby person. 

Later that evening we opened their Xmas Eve boxes with them, then went outside to sprinkle reindeer food and ring our believe bells. She also had Ariyah put a magical key out side for Santa to came in and leave presents for them when they were asleep. We left some Bailey's, an apple pie, biscuit and then a carrot for the reindeers out before going to bed. I think she understood it abit but still a tiny bit young. Layton again has no clue lol 😂. But we got him involved just as much as her in the whole experience of Christmas. We put on matching pj and had a early night. (Well not for daddies who had to build and sort the present shhhh!! And eat the teats 😉) 

Christmas morning. 

It was so magically, where we got up together, and to watch ariyah excitement as she walked into the room and saw all the presents under the tree. 

We let her open a few like her easal and pens, so she could then play with them while we made breakfast. We had fried big breakfast all together and Layton had some rucks and milk for first time. He seemed to enjoy it and know how to eat well. 

We then got washed and dressed, took some family photos and opened more presents. We had fun playing and laughing. Ariyah was helping Layton with his ones as he was only 3 months old. He just wanted to eat the wrapping paper haha. 

We then facetimes family and opened some bits while they watched. Which was lovely that with technology we can do that and still have them involved in the magic. 

The kids had a nap and me and Ben had time to chill and prep dinner. Which we had turkey roast. Layton had some streamed veg which he loved. We opened more presents and played more. We watch some films. 

Boxing day more of the same, we watched films, opened more presents and chilled. Just pure family time which we truly needed. 

We then went to my dad's in London for a few days, it was lovely to get away spend time with family and see those we had not been able to for over 2 years due to covid. It was nice for my sister to finally met Layton too. 

It was a lovely quite family Christmas which is exactly what we needed. The kids got very spoilt and ariyah loved the whole thing. She loved singing and dancing jingle bells, and it was very magical. Can't wait for next year when she really understand and laytons older to understand too.