We got spirit

I am starting to get into the Christmas spirit. It's true.

We went to get our tree today and I can see why people say that Christmas is for children. C doesn't even know yet who this Santa person is and/or what he can do for her, but boy is she excited. The Christmas lights alone are thrilling for her. D put some up on our back porch and at night she is just beside herself when she sees them. She begs to go outside and run alongside them and she bursts into fits of giggles and glee. It really is the cutest thing. Maybe this is the purest expression of Christmas wonder and delight that there is, and it's all downhill from here. So I'll enjoy it this year when she doesn't know she is supposed to NEED that Zhu Zhu whatever-whatsit that is made overseas and doomed to be forgotten a week or two after opening.

So this childhood excitement is certainly contagious and it makes you appreciate the holidays all over again. Even the songs don't feel as if you've heard them=500 times x the 35 years that you've lived.

A toddler Christmas is not without its perils though. C is also very excited, yet confused, to have a tree, just like one of those trees outdoors, in our house. It is really hard for her not to touch it , even if we tell her not to in firm or alarmed tones of voice. And she paid the tree the highest form of compliment tonight when she sang "Happy Birthday" to it.

We are living on the edge by keeping it in the living room this year as opposed to the closed-door office. As a result, it looks pretty underdressed at the bottom, which I'm sure is a familiar style for anyone with children or especially enthusiastic pets. I think we can declare victory if only 5 ornaments are broken over the season. One down tonight.

I still wish I didn't have Christmas shopping hanging over my head, but so be it. I just want to give presents without having to hunt them down.

Off to Amazon!