Tis the Season

I love this time of year. AND I love this time of year even more since becoming a mom. Everything about it is more magical as you perceive it through the eyes of a 2 and 4 year old. The questions he asks and the things he says: How many more days? Do you think Kyndal is on the naughty list? Does Santa bring moms and dads presents? Let's put the tree right by the fire place so Santa sees it right away. I hope Simon (our elf that visits Santa nightly to recap the kids' behavior) didn't see me do that.
Tis the season. Tis the season of doing all those fun Christmas things. Everyday there is more talk, more questions, more and more excitement as we count down the days.
Pick out the perfect Christmas tree...Check!
Decorate the tree and the house...Check! Make the Advent Calendar...Check! (Impressed with Codey's "Christmas?" Love those preschool teachers...he is writing so well! He helped with the little trees too.)
Daily visits from Simon...Check!
Enjoy the holiday horse-drawn sleigh ride through the neighborhood to see the lights...Check.
Visit Santa...Check! It went something like this. Santa: Codey, what would like for Christmas? Codey: (nervous) Just surprise me please. Santa: Well, I hope you like Barbie dolls then! Codey: Noooo, ok, not barbies, how about a car that crashes into the wall and then turns into a plane and then flies everywhere. (Really Codey? Did you see this on a commercial? Help me out here!) Kyndal obviously speechless and doing everything in her power not to cry...can you see that face, said nothing when asked by Santa. So Codey responded: She probably wants a barbie and a baby. (Thanks Codey for the assistance!)

Go with Daddy to Lowes to build all their holiday free gifts...Check! (Have you done this? Great thing Lowes does. 10:00 on Saturdays.)
Dress up warm (and cute) to play outside...Check!
Shovel the street and the grass...Check! (Since Dad already did the driveway.)

Check!

Drink lots and lots and lots of hot "toto"...Check!

Shoot your first buck...Check! (Really did I include this? Despite my non-interest in hunting, I was actually very happy for him.)

Go to Union Station to see the train exhibit, ride the trains and eat at Fritz's...Check! (more pix to come.)

This really truly is the best time of the year! More than ever, I don't want to blink and miss anything about this holiday with my kids. The joy, the magic, the wonder, the beauty. I want to remember all of it.