We decided to have appetizers on Christmas Eve. Uncle Bobby was coming over after work and he didn't what time that would be and Todd's stepmother Kathy was coming by at some point. Holly had planned to come by, though she didn't make it until the next day. I liked that it was casual and low pressure. I did the basics like veggies, shrimp cocktail and fried mozzarella sticks to name a few. I actually overdid it; about half the food was left, but I wanted to make sure everyone was happy :)
I was a little stressed, but not too bad for me. I have gotten much better with my anxiety about hosting things, which I am actually kind of proud of.
Todd had to work, but was home by mid afternoon to make whoopie pie, which I can't believe I didn't take a photo of! When Holly said she was coming by, I realized I didn't have gifts for her grandkids and I felt like I didn't have enough for my brother. I panicked and ran out the door, spending 40 minutes wandering around Rite Aid until I felt like I had what I needed. Sigh. Sometimes I do this stuff to myself. Ha.
Kathy arrived 6ish, bearing generous gifts for our kids as I scrambled around the kitchen getting things done. The kids didn't want me out of their sight because they thought Kathy was going to babysit. But then Abbey spotted Adam's big gift under the blanket Kathy hid it with. She was very into it..!
Yep, it's a bike. Adam also got a dinosaur. No, this isn't it. This is one Pam got him for his birthday, but they are from the same set. And my kid LOVES things more if there is a "set". 
Kathy and Todd snacking. Bobby came a bit after 7, bearing horseradish to make cocktail sauce since I forget to get some. 
Here is the "set"...Adam calls the Triceratops Two-Tops. Love it. And by the way, my OCD son still has that box and he stores these two and the matching shark plane he got from Carolyn the next day in it. 
Abbey got some cute outfits, the movie Tangled (which she LOVES and we have it on DVR) and the baby doll version of Rapunzel, one of the few dolls she ever plays with. She hugs it under her arm. Cute. Kathy left and the kids went to bed. Uncle Bobby was forced to put together Abbey's tricycle and shopping cart and I brought down the gifts I had hastily wrapped. I wanted a Christmas movie, but was actually not in the mood for my usual Christmas Story or Christmas Vacation. Todd declared it was his birthday, so he got to pick: Bad Santa. And it was exactly the right pick. It was pretty funny. Uncle Bobby got the stuff together and I wrapped everything, even the big stuff. Ready for Christmas morning.
Sounds like a rushed, but pleasant day, with a nice end.
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