Let the Games Begin!

For the past few years my mom has made up a game that we all play on Christmas morning at her house. In true Shirley fashion she writes poems and clues on cards, and sends us off to find numbered hidden presents. This is one of our favorite parts of Christmas morning! We know how much time and effort she puts into this game (staying up to the wee hours of the morning) and want her to know how much we LOVE it! Thank you mom for making us all feel like kids again on Christmas morning!

This year my mom placed out 4 Santa hats (one for each of us: Mike, Anthony, Angela (Anth's girlfriend), and me). We each got to lift up one Santa hat. Whoever found the little Santa underneath got to start the game by reading Clue #1. Anthony was the one to find the little Santa, so he started us off.

We each had to read our first clue and head to the tree to find our ornament.

My clue: I'm very sleepy, my eyes look glossy. Go to the tree and find the word FROSTY.

Mike's clue: Your sign sparkles, it will make you tingle. Go to the tree and find the word JINGLE.

Attached to the ornaments we found on the tree was our next clue.

My clue: Find your box. Don't be a fool, snowmen rule!

Mike's clue: Find your box. Don't be a fool, reindeer rule!

After we all found our boxes we took turns opening them up. Inside our box was a small piece of wrapping paper. This was our clue as to what all our gifts would be wrapped in...it was the year for polka dot paper!

We then followed each of our clues one by one and opened the presents that came with the clue. They were hidden in the living room in trees, behind the piano bench, and even tucked away on the bookshelf. We had a BLAST and got some wonderful gifts!

Anthony, Mike, and I all had the same final clue: This final gift is very special, made with lots of love. It has been sent from a special angel who now lives up above. The fabrics it was made from each one of them I chose, so when you gaze upon your bear you'll recognize Nana's clothes!

My mom had taken my Nana's clothes and had them stitched together to make teddy bears! Aidan even got his very own little teddy bear. This special, heartfelt gift brought tears to all of our eyes as we gazed upon the clothes my Nana used to wear. It seems like yesterday that I saw her walking around in her fuzzy, teal robe or her ladybug sweatshirt. We will treasure these bears forever!!! Good luck topping this gift next year mom.