Christmas Day in the Morning

I didn't sleep well last night--I suppose because I was poised for the moment when the kids rocketed out of their beds and clattered in to review the stockings. As it happened, I did hear YG get out of bed...then nothing. After half an hour in which I thought perhaps her older sister had slain her in pursuit of an extra hour of sleep, I got up to go to the bathroom and found the two of them silently disembowelling the stockings on the living room couch. I don't know at what age one stops doing stockings--Sarcasm Girl, if left in charge, would likely be getting stockings when she's fifty! So Spouse and I poured out into the living room and a nice, low-key present-opening ensued. I am now the proud owner of a very high tech coffee grinder and a beautiful ceramic canister to keep my coffee fresh in; a "Joss Whedon Is My Master Now" t-shirt from YG, Serenity from SG (are we sensing a theme here?) and several lovely craft things that YG did at Boys and Girls' Club. SG asked for books and music; I think the hit of the day was the vocal score from Rent, her current passion. Spouse scored two books on the Beatles; YG many things she asked for, including drawing paper, the new Gregor the Overlander book, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from her sister. Both girls got dental floss in their stockings, to counteract the candy. That Santa is one wily dude.

The crown roast is in the oven; the stuffing goes in about an hour and a half before dinner. I have had two cups of perfectly fresh ground coffee, and am now going to clean up before the in-law onslaught. Have a shiny day, folks.