Ho ho ho.

If you had told me when I was younger that there would be a point in my life when I wouldn't get any Christmas presents and even more amazing, that I wouldn't even mind, I don't think I would have believed you.

My husband and I didn't exchange gifts this year and yet, this was probably one of the best Christmas' ever! Santa only brought 4 gifts for the chitlins this year; one big one and then 3 little ones. There was no tears, no yelling, no "I didn't get enough for Christmas - so and so got...". Everyone was happy and so very excited that we got extra long hugs this morning.

I wish everyday could be this calming. Oh, did I mention that they slept in until 7:40? It was a Christmas miracle. Absolutely the most wonderful time of the year.

Only 3 more sleeps to go...

... and I'm pretty sure I'll be visiting the emergency room soon before Christmas day.

My neighbours 2 doors over have a great old, metal slide from a playground make-over. It's wonderful. Nice and tall and gives you just enough power to fly off the end. In the summer and the temperatures are in the 80's the kids tend to stay away from it - those metal slides get pretty darn hot!

It's more like 30 out today and there's a slight sprinkling of snow - enough so that the boys have turned the slide into "Le Tour de Death"! They stand at the bottom of the slide pretending it's some guy and throw snowballs at it. Then, 'cause that just wouldn't be enough, they climb to the top of the ladder and slide down head first. Zzzzoooommmm! All the way to the bottom where they fall off and start giggling like crazy people. They turn over and make a snow angel and then, they do it all over again.

There's something just not right about young boys. I shudder to think of all the trouble they get into when I'm NOT watching....

Update: See? I wasn't watching! They just carried the snowman they made this weekend up to the top of the slide and let him go down. My eyes are closed and I'm shaking my head....

Only so many more days to go.

Try as I might it's almost impossible to stay in a Grinchy mood in my house. My little boys just won't let me! They talk about Christmas constantly and although it's more about what Santa's bringing them and less about giving, it's still pretty nice to see them so darn excited! E. I believe is even starting to learn to count backward because of Christmas (yes, I know he probably knew how to do it earlier but let a woman have her Christmas wishes will you?).

We're all prepared - except the cookies, and the mailing of packages, and the last minute gifts that I'll have to run to the Drug Store for.... no big deal. I'll inevitably be shopping next week but hopefully just for groceries and not for presents. It made it easier this year that we're not buying for adults. I know as adults we still like Christmas and we still enjoy getting presents but I have to say nothing is better than watching E. open presents. You give the kid a package of underwear and socks and he does a little happy dance! No joke. But I've given presents to one too many adults that just want to return it and "get what they want", or they want gift cards. Where's the fun in that?

And this year I thought about buying cookies instead of making them 'cause I'm feeling a bit lazy like that. I just don't think I can do it. I can't buy the cookies. I think it might be against the Christmas laws or something. I think I'm going to have to break out the sprinkles and the butter - oh, you heard me, butter! And since S. is staying home this morning (he's got a doctors appointment later) perhaps this is the perfect time to do it?! Nothing says fa la la la la better than kids and flour. Yep, I'm ready for Christmas...ish....sort of... ack... the kids are going to have to work harder at being excited.

Yahoo!

I found it! The cure to getting out of the Christmas slumps - just take 20 7&8 year olds, 5 bottles of glue, some pine cones and a Christmas wreath and "VOILA!" instant Christmas!!!

Thank you little ones. I really needed that.

Yikes!

It's been too long. I'm afraid it might be a little longer. I've run into a slump; perhaps this will get me out.

I'm having a might bit of a problem getting motivated and I'm not sure why. It could be the dark and dreary clouds. It could be the traveling we've been doing lately (Florida & NY). It could be that I'm having issues getting in the Christmas spirit! Why is that? I've already received an AMAZING gift from my friend Robin (Thank you again) and I love to see everyone else's lights up but I just can't get past that first step and put up my own.

This is not like me. I LOVE Christmas (and halloween, and easter and pretty much any holiday that allows me to place tacky ornaments around my home). I LOVE Santa. I LOVE the idea of Christmas and it's been a pretty good year for that around here. But I just can't get there.

Darn slumps.