Christmas Eve--had us in stitches

 Literally. But let me start with the amazingly fun games and activities before dinner.  I had a roll the snowman/gingerbread man/gingerbread house/Christmas tree activity that people seemed to really enjoy.  Except for one person who wrote that they were drawing under duress (haha).  

I also had a ping pong ball game where you had to bounce it into a muffin tin to win presents (which were all cheese and crackers for the appetizers...)I know. Cheesy :)

We did musical candy canes (music plays--when it stops you grab a candy cane...the one without a cane is out.). It was really hilarious.  I kept having to replace the candy canes as the grabbing got violent.   Libby, of course, won. 

The ring toss was played--but not as much as in years past.  

Then we had dinner.  All went well.  It was a yummy soup potluck.  The Winco rolls were ON POINT.  Salad and veggies were great.  Christmas juice was extra yummy because I remembered limes. 

We sat in a circle and played Twas the night Right before Christmas.  I updated the text this year with even more Lefts and Rights.  Unfortunately, there were a balanced amount so that you kind of kept passing the same gift back and forth.  I'll need to update again next year. I had enough gifts that everyone got to play.  (Movie theater candy boxes.)

Then we sang some songs and Derek read Luke 2.  No nativity this year--with no littles it didn't seem worth it to haul out the costumes.  

Then on to donuts and hot cocoa.  People were laughing and chatting when I heard a huge thud. 

I rushed to the dining room and saw Ben twitching a bit on the floor.  I almost fainted myself.  Thankfully it wasn't a seizure.  Libby had apparently been choking him out (as one does, I guess in this wrestling family). Ben apparently said, "I refuse to tap out."  Then went limp.  So Libby let go of him.  But unfortunately he actually had passed out.  So he pitched forward right into the wall.  I saw him twitching just as he was coming to.  It could actually have been a lot worse I guess.  He has a major black eye and his chin had a huge gash.  

As luck (or spiritual promptings?) would have it, I had invited Connor and Chunie to dinner.  Chunie, if you recall, was the one that stitched up Sarah's eyebrow in Oct.  Now, Connor (who is a facial plastic surgery resident) got the chance to stitch up a Norton with Chunie on the assist.  Seriously.  I was so thankful they were there.

And I was also a hot mess.  Derek's response, "Libby, when you choke someone out you have to let them down toward you."  My (internal response) "Never, never, never, even pretend to choke someone out. AHHHHHH!"  

Anyway, while Ben iced, people continued to chat and munch while the doctors went home for supplies.  (That they now keep on hand due to us...although apparently one of the things they needed was a wrapped gift under their tree, so they had to do an early Christmas real quick.) 

Most of the guests left before the actual stitching.  We all cleaned up while the docs worked on Ben.  Libby was super helpful, feeling pretty bad about the whole thing.  

Then Grammy was like--Pajamas?  And they were like YES!  (Including Ben).

After Grammy got pics with them in the traditional pjs, the kids went up to watch a movie while Santa did his magic (since Derek had to work on Christmas day.)   I sat down and cried.  Oh boy.  I hate to see one of my kids injured.  Especially when Ben was supposed to be our 113 pounder at a 2 day tournament in OR in 4 days from the injury.  Big team consequences.  

Then I rallied and we set up the scavenger hunt. 

I told the kids they had to walk it!  No running!  (And they did.) 

They were super happy with their gifts.  They each got 2 pair of shoes and lots of new socks.  

They enjoyed their stockings. Then we all crashed out at like 11 pm.  Which is SO past my bedtime.  

So--merry Christmas?  I mean, yes.  But man, does it really blow that Ben can't wrestle for a couple of weeks.  99% of the night was amazing (including that we didn't have to go to the ER.). But negativity bias is real. What will we remember?  It'll always be the Christmas of the stitches.  

Holy cow.  First time I've seen that pic.  Gross. 

This year's pjs. 

The pic to show there is no ill will. 

I was most excited about the mater crocs.  And I think he was too.  He mentioned them off-hand...and didn't think I'd be able to find them. 

Libby really needed new air forces, as her old ones were a few years old.  Gross. 

Sarah was convinced she was only getting one pair.  So happy I found another great pair for her! Docs and Alegrias. 

Another fav gift.  Haha.