And here is a stirring rendition of a holiday classic.

This is an unbelievable testament of love between mother and daughter.

The best three quotes from Coco on Christmas day:

“You won’t even believe the heck out of yourself.” [said to Mainey when calling her over to see her new dollhouse]

“Oh, my golly gum, don’t tell me!” [said as she opened one of her gifts]

“Prepare to be amazed.” [when playing with two really cool magnet men]

The funniest story from the day before Christmas Eve:

Gramma was visiting us. As I opened a Christmas card, Coco exclaimed, “what the h*ll?” This is not something she ever says, and it figures she chose to say it in front of Layr’s mom, two hours her arrival. We both got mad and told her not to say that again. She walked over to me, put her head down on my shoulder and started to cry. I asked what was wrong and she said, “I really wanted to say, ‘what the h*ll.’”

Last weekend we finally hung up the mistletoe we bought. Before it was hung up, Coco would hold it over her head and say, “Mommy, there’s an emergency here.” Since it’s hung up at the bottom of the stairs now, she’ll start down and call, “There’s almost an emergency here, Mommy” and you have to run to meet her under the mistletoe.

Today at lunch, while I was working, Coco helped herself to a cookie before finishing her sandwich. Grandma asked why. Coco explained that she wasn’t taking care of her health (and therefore eating a cookie instead of lunch). This was the same response that daddy gave Coco the other night when he told her she couldn’t have any more cookies, while he was eating one.

We’ll be back in July.

A wonderful Christmas day was had by all.

Dressed as a kitty, along with her penguin friend, Lucca, Coco hit the street ready to get some candy tonight. And from what I observed, the apple doesn’t fall from the tree. In addition to loving candy like her parents, Coco is not shy. She marched right up to each door, knocked and shouted “Trick or Treat,” before anyone opened the door! In she strolled to several people’s homes and did not seem to notice me in the doorway beseeching her to come back out.

All of my diabolical plans came together last night! Layr had a pretty fun birthday. Here we are after eating dinner.