Magic.

 I knew this Christmas would be special.

A year I would call the best yet.

 Where Carson would start to see just how magical Christmas really is.

I've been looking forward to experiencing these magical moments since last year.

And it happened just like I thought it would. 

I saw the magic the second we put the tree up and through the entire month of December.

 The look in his young eyes and the smiles each moment created.
A special reminder of the magic Christmas brings.

 The way he carefully studied each ornament that hung on the tree.

How he got excited to turn on the Christmas tree lights every night.

When he pointed out "twees" at church, and the grocery store, and Lowe's.

When we introduced him to Christmas songs!

 How he knew each family member had a stocking and could tell you whose was whose.

The fact he knew about Santa and his reindeer, and talked about it!
How he helped me shop for loved ones, and picked out the perfect ornaments.
When I told him about Baby Jesus and His birthday.

How cookies and "tweats" got the best of him and asked for them at every meal.

When we experienced a Christmas snowfall and went sledding!

When he opened a gazillion presents and was spoiled by family.

And when he reminded us that not everything is perfect and magical by having a major meltdown in the middle of opening presents.

How we enjoyed first-time traditions at home as a family.
When we sipped hot chocolate on Christmas Eve and he wouldn't stop eating the marshmallows.
The way he opened his Christmas jammies and wasn't at all thrilled.

When we set out cookies and milk for Santa.
The way he actually listened when we read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
The excitement we had tucking him into bed on Christmas Eve!

And Christmas morning. Well, it was magical.

He woke up early saying two things: "stairs" and "cookies"
So we all headed downstairs to see if Santa had visited and ate the cookies we set out for him.

Our sleepy eyed boy with disheveled hair walked into the living room, as Brian and I could barely contain our excitement.

Santa Claus had come and gone.

But not before eating the cookies, drinking the milk, filling our stockings, and leaving special gifts.

The way he just stood there and stared at his bike for minutes.

Until he shyly pulled it away from the fireplace to test it out.

I don't think I'll ever forget the look on his face or the excitement in his eyes.

Truly innocent, pure and magical.

Next, he noticed the stockings.

Realizing it had been filled with goodies and treasures.

An hour had already passed, and we hadn't opened a single wrapped gift. 

Me and Brian's filled stockings were still hanging. 
But we didn't care.

We had all day to soak up the holiday spirit and chaos that comes with it.

It was about our boy.
And his first real experience of Christmas magic.

So the magic continued.

With a dance party in the living room to Christmas tunes.

And impromptu stops for play time with new toys.

We had pancakes for breakfast and learned to ride a bike on carpet and wood floors.
All the presents were eventually opened.

Our boy was happy.

And that's all that mattered on this Christmas morning.

It was perfect and magical and everything I had hoped for.