It’s beginning to look a lot like…

Christmas.  It’s making it’s way into our house and although I vow every year to slow down and savor the holiday more, once again it feels like a race to the finish with the prize being just plain survival. 

More on that later.

Here’s what we’ve been doing to get ready for this year’s marathon of parties and plays and promises.

Having breakfast with Santa…

Is that beard real?

Playing with Aunt Brooke and riding the Macy’s Pink Pig.

Choosing the perfect tree. (This isn’t it.)

Taking our living room from this….

…to this.

Much better don’t you think?

Oh, and Joshua finally blew all the leaves out of the yard when he discovered an infestation of “leaf groundhogs”.

What are you doing to get ready for Christmas around your house?  I’m drinking a glass of wine and reminding myself it’s not really about perfect trees or fancy cookies (though I plan to talk about both soon). 

And I’m going to add a blog feature for December on the ways we’re trying to celebrate the true Spirit and then ways we can remember that all year long.  But since I’m trying to limit my stress, don’t look for one everyday…I think I’ll aim for Twelve…as in the Twelve Days of Christmas.  I do, however, promise to start tomorrow.  Any suggestions?