I spent most Christmases of my childhood at home with my parents and sister, and my cousins would sometimes come to town and stay for the week. As North Americans with Germanic heritage, Christmas was always a special time for us. I remember an entire month Christmas movies and stories, of decorations, really tasty and special food, crafts at school and lots of music. I miss decorating the house to Christmas oldies and the sound of the furnace turning on. I miss the excitement the night before.

This year my children are 1 (almost 2) and 4 years old, so I get to be Santa Claus (or Mrs. Claus more accurately). I realize now how much work it is to craft, decorate, bake, shop, wrap, etc., when you're feeling lazy and spirits are low. It kept me busy this year and Christmas came and went fast. It's a green Christmas sadly and it might be a cold January.

We had Xmas Eve with the grandparents. We just ate Santa's cookies (and Rudolph's carrot), wrapped the presents and put them under the tree, and stuffed the stockings with nuts, chocolate, candy canes, mandarins, crayons, toys, etc. Every so often we ring the jingle bells to sound like Sants coming.

Next year I aim to have a real tree with lots of decorations and the smell of pine wafting through the house. I can't wait for Christmas morning from a totally different perspective this year. Next year I'm dreaming of a white Christmas so we can go sledding and make more snowmen.

Merry Christmas!