the lure of winter

Winter means many things. We sled, build snowmen, go caroling, do all things Christmas, have movie marathons with excessive hot chocolate. You name it. Some times we don't get out of pjs. Sometimes we risk the cold to grab a 4 for 4 or hit up the arcade. 

There are so many magical things about winter in the midwest! Watching the snow fall is so completely calming. Driving in it- not so much. Snuggling up with a fire is so completely calming. Being out in the cold- not so much. 

No matter how old we get, the best part of winter (besides the snow) is the ever magical Christmas tree. Inside or outside, white lights or colorful, flashing or solid lights. Large ornaments or old school, it doesn't matter. Now that all the holidays and birthdays are over, we are missing all the pizzazz and flash. I love to tear down Christmas and start fresh, but man, do I miss falling asleep to the soft glow of tree lights twinkling near a roaring fire. Unless next year, I will just leave this right here :)

it's almost time...

I pick up my kid from school last week and she says, "Do you know what the kids at school are talking about?" Oh, geez. If that's not a loaded statement, I don't know what is! I went through the list in my head and decided that this may not be that bad. Then again...

She said the kids are talking about Santa and the stuff that comes with that. I asked her what she thought about all of it. She said that it cannot be true because she has heard bells and laughter on Christmas eve. She says that she has even stayed up late and saw glimpses of red. I said, "Okay then. Maybe they're just messing with you." 

So she is questioning things. She is nine, almost ten. The timing is right. I just want one more magical Christmas with the milk and cookies, the letter, the breakfast with Santa pictures and all the innocence and cuteness. Once it's over, it is over. 

I remember figuring it out and telling my aunt. I remember the exact conversation we had. Thirty years later, I remember listening to her gentle explanation and figuring it all out. I was either nine or ten. I am not ready! I just cannot mentally prepare myself for this!

Each passing day is a day closer to her first job, dates, prom, graduation, college, wedding, babies, growing up. Nope. Nope. Nope. If you need me, I will be holed up in my house with everything locked down until December 26th! In the words of Clark W. Griswold, "We're gonna have the hap hap happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap danced with Danny F-ing Kaye!"

It's fine. We're going to be fine. It's just fine. Every mom experiences this. I am just not ready yet. Did I mention I'm fine?

the elf on the shelf

Oh, that elf on a shelf. Even at 8 years old, my daughter still believes the elf still holds the power. My kid accidentally bumped the shelf he was sitting on, the elf fell, and she LOST it. There were tears. There was drama. Then there was a letter. I apologized profusely to Santa so he would know the magic was not disturbed. Guys. If you haven't yet, GET AN ELF. You won't regret it. The behavior is magical, the manners are never ending, the smiles are abundant.