and the festivities have begun

We have had a Christmas-packed start to December. We got our tree up then decorating it took me three days. I thought Kate would be into helping but it's a little early yet.  Once she saw Candy Canes in the decoration boxes it was game over. Unfortunately for her the Canes were long past - over. It turns out that living in a humid climate means you have to throw Candy Canes out at the end of the season as the had turned in to an gooey mess. I'm a Maritimer in-training.

We finished our shopping this weekend too which feels great as I'm predicting it will take me the rest of the season to get all the goodies wrapped. While shopping we did come upon Santa's workshop right there in the middle of the mall. I've been pretty steadfast in my resolve not to force my babies to sit on some strange bearded man's knee.  But some magical spirit overcame me on Saturday morning when I saw him and no line to get in to see him. The kids weren't dressed particularly festive compared to the sequin-adorned toddler ahead of us but what the heck. It turns out that my initial Mama intuition was bang on. Kate just lost it. We really weren't surprised so plan B was just to have Elliott's photo taken. I guess Santa knew this was probable and slid over in his chair so Papa Cody holding a miserable Kate could get a group photo after all. I wish I had a scanner so you could all see the photo. It's priceless. Cody doesn't think so - he hates it. Kate in tears, Elliott completely sombre and Cody grinning ear to ear.

Kate checking out the tree.

Elliott bundled up for a walk through the community to look at everyone's lights.

Kate playing "Nativity" with the characters and animals from the advent calendar that Grandma Sherri made for us. She plays this every morning after choosing one to hang.

This is a partial view of our floor Saturday night after Kate and her friend Reese finished playing with the Christmas nuts. It seems everything related to Christmas and Christmas decor can become a child's game. Yeah! new messes.

Kate is absolutely taken with the stockings my Mom has made us all and knows whose is whose.  My Mom was so smart last year when she designed Kate's to have the equivalent of a necklace around it - again every morning she points to it and says "please".  When I get it down for her she carries it around, playing with the beads and tassel and fills it up with cars and jewelry. She seems to have gotten the hang of the consumer portion of Christmas.

Lights are up, cards are posted, I just need to bake some goodies and then eat them again.  The only thing missing is the litres of egg nog that I would have normally consumed by now. Oh Elliott, you and your lactose intolerance - you have saved Mama many calories through Halloween and now Christmas. A blessing and a curse.

Happy December to all. AJ