a very Merry Christmas indeed

Twas the night before Christmas...enjoying

magic and warmth at home.

New pj's were on...bedtime was near...

Christmas nativity play attended. Delicious dinner was eaten. Cookies for Santa baked and decorated. Last evening of Advent. Warm, happy night at Grandma's.

Daddy came for the holiday and lots of Daddy & Marek giggles were shared. Santa was tracked online. Santa's magic key was placed on the doorknob. All was ready.

Christmas Joy.

Stocking surprises.

Santa brought gifts great and small.

A new puppet stage and a Playmobil pyramid.

I learned that I should open and double check the contents of all presents ordered online prior to Christmas Eve. Marek's special gift of a working, light-up, talking railroad crossing came missing a part. Notice that the sign isn't on the top of the stand? I wasn't excited about that find. Calls to make to the company on Monday... But, luckily, my boy doesn't mind at all! He's been playing with it constantly even without the top part attached.

Many happy memories. As Marek said, "the best Christmas ever!"

Hoping that your Christmas was merry, bright, and filled with love and peace.

reality

Today I read a sobering article in the Wall Street Journal online. So many people are faced with challenges. At least a library card is free - and gives you access to a wealth of information and entertainment.

"Please, Santa, get Dad his job back

For America's Santas, it's hard to be jolly when kids are asking for bare essentials -- shoes, a library card, a place to live...

As a longtime Santa Claus at a suburban Chicago mall, Rod Riemersma used to jokingly tell children they would get socks for Christmas if they were naughty.

This year, he stopped telling the joke. Too many children are asking for socks."

Read the full article here...

Simple Pleasures

I baked these Christmas Tree Brownies for a recent Christmas gathering. So easy and delicious!

This is my favorite time of year. I love everything - well, almost everything - about the Christmas season. Every year I feel like a little child instead, looking forward to the magic of Christmas. And now as a parent, I find myself trying to recreate the magic of Christmas for my own child. It is too easy to get swept up in trying to do too much, though. Buying too many presents, obsessing over the perfectly decorated house, trying to bake the best food and entertain like nothing else. Sometimes seeing Christmas through the eyes of a young child makes the whole season a lot clearer. Of course there's an element of "What will Santa bring me?" But there's so much joy and happiness watching the Christmas magic unfold in the everyday traditions, gathering with family and friends, and simplifying. Taking time to focus on the story and message of Christmas and spreading love and peace. That's the magic.

Mr and Mrs Claus - a family tradition at the table as long as I can remember.

Small treasures from St. Nicholas Day:

Christmas Land

my birthday boy

F-I-V-E!

It's not officially his 5th birthday yet, but we celebrated with his birthday party this afternoon. It was so much fun! What a fantastic five years it has been. And, wow, how fast it has gone by! I made treasure chests with treasure jewels and cupcakes with parasols for a pirate/beach themed table. We made animal paper bag puppets for an activity and had some serious fun at our favorite toy store's play room. Random moments from a great afternoon...