The Countdown Has Begun!

Children's Museum





Christmas decorations






Yes, the Christmas countdown has OFFICIALLY begun. Not just for me, but for my kids as well. And as far as my kids are concerned, mommy has yet to buy them one. single. gift! hehehehehe!

I do this every year. I make my list, research, pay attention (close attention) to what the little ones want and what the older one asks for. I make sure what they ask for and what they want pretty much stay the same for a few months before I just go out and buy it. It's not easy narrowing down my list to just 3 gifts but that is why I have in-laws. LOL. Whatever does not make my list, is passed on to mother in law and father in law, who are more than happy to get the kids what they want. Once I buy, I stash....and the kids are none the wiser. :)

I have to say, I am pretty proud of myself this year with the gift selection. I think my kids will be VERY happy come Christmas morning (and Eve when they get to to open the in-laws gifts).

Now this year was slow going for me. It took me longer than usual to wrap up all my shopping. I literally just finished yesterday. And now there is a week left until the big day and I can just sit back and relax. The only things I have to do: pick up 2 gifts on lay a way (but I have until the 24th to do that and I want to wait until the last minute because these 2 gifts are pretty HUGE and I have no place to hide them). Then when that's done, I have to wrap (I wrap the kids stuff on Christmas Eve).

It has been a decidedly more laid back Christmas for me, somehow. I didn't do as many activities with the kids this year. However, we made it to our first ever Children's Musuem Lighting Spectacular, which was way cool. I did missed the Nutcracker, though, because by the time I went to get tickets, they were ALL gone. That put a damper in my mood... it was the ONE thing I wanted to do with dd, starting our tradition. I guess there is always next year. Plus she'll be older and maybe more willing to sit still for how many minutes a ballet takes.

I could not be happier with what I got accomplished. Just cannot wait to see my kids faces on the big day.