It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like...

CHRISTMAS!!!

Standing in my living room Saturday, staring at tubs upon tubs of decorations, I couldn't help but think, why, oh why, do I do this to myself?!?!?!

Because THIS...

Aubrey Kate has been mesmorized by the decorations.  She'll hang out in the dining room all day just to "watch" the ornaments.  

And by "watch," she means move them from branch to branch as quietly as possible thinking Momma doesn't have a clue what she's doing.

Silly girl.

Most of the decorations are up now.  I still have the nativity to put out and some wreaths on the upstairs windows and door.  I need to make new bows for them.  But in order for that to happen, Rhys has to actually take a nap.  Which he hasn't done in three days.

But who's counting.

It took all weekend to get the decorations up.  Way longer than it should have.  But my garland lights no longer worked and it took a while to take them off, buy new ones and relight them.  Then I could decorate.  

All done now!

Clearly, Aubrey Kate wanted to be in every picture.  She makes it cuter.

And besides decorating, the other thing that needs to happen during the Christmas season is going to see Santa.  

Rhys' first year was the first time we'd gone to see Santa at all.  Look at these little people...

Then last year, I took them during the day since Chris was out of town or busy every single weekend. The kids were awesome.  The candy cane was a good bribe.  

This year, though, no one could be bribed and no one was brave.  Rhys was braver than AK but not by much.  She was fine.  Until all the sudden she wasn't.  

Rhys has decided...this week...that he wants a Super Robot.  Not idea what that is, really.  He saw a commercial.  Good grief.  Hoping upon hope he goes back to Rasputin (long story).  Or Iron Man.  Or a dinosaur.  No idea where Santa will find a Super Robot.

Aubrey Kate has stuck with her three wish list items.  Jake and the Neverland Pirate Treasure Box, Jake's Ship, Bucky, and all the characters (MUST HAVE LIZZY).  She's added an Elsa doll, dresses (for herself, of course) and a Princess book but she knows Santa only gives three gifts.  We give her a movie so she wants "whatever Princess movie you can get."  Said in her huffiest tone. Since we couldn't get a digital version of "Aladin."  She'll have to settle for "Sleeping Beauty."  I believe all of the requested items have been assigned to various family members.  We'll have to wait and see which things Santa decides to bring.

Both kids did tell Santa what they wanted.  In whispered voices.  From three feet away.  But they had to tell him so they did.  

Santa was precious and let the kids sit in his chair instead of in his lap for the picture.  I had visions of the four of us in a family shot together but, well, I should learn to keep my expectations low.  

Fortunately, Christmas is about the birth of our Savior.  Decorations and Santas don't really hold a candle to God reaching down to touch us.  It's hard to keep that in perspective some days.  Like days when I have visions in my head of perfect family photos with jolly old men.  I am grateful we focus on it enough that my kids do know Christmas is Jesus' birthday and we decorate and give presents to each other like a big birthday party just for Him.  

Now to remember that and meditate on that for the rest of the month...