Favorite Time of the Year

Official Start of Holiday Shopping Season. I purchased gifts and saw Santa three times. Of course, I didn't stop. Last year, I barely got anyone on Santa's lap. know this year, the only way the kids will join him is if their Dad and I jump in too for a family picture. I had no idea how much I would miss the hushed excitement of seeing them going to whisper those much dreamed of toys in his ear. I will never forget the year my little boy took the Thomas the Train gift book with him so Santa would understand. I know he will not even look for him this year. I am sure someone spilled the beans.

My daughter and I went to the Christmas Show in town. We only stayed about three hours. it was all our feet and pocket books could tolerate. But this annual ritual for her and I is fun. We know where we want to go and what we want to see. Missing it, well, it just wouldn't seem right. I had a ton of other things to do, as evidenced by blogging at 11:30, but it was fun as usual. She is maturing so, it is completely different from all of those parents tugging kids in strollers, half asleep through the aisles. So as the Christmas music rang and all the vendors made change, I looked at the tall blue eyed blond next to me and wondered where the little girl on Santa's Knee went. You see, I lived for the Christmas season with the children. I was more excited than they were to watch them experience the lights, bake cookies, wrap presents and make that important list and trip to Santa, I had the Christmas sweaters and cards. As they move beyond it a little more every year, I grow older. Somehow, they took me back with them every time but it was even better. It was my dream Christmas every year, but through them. This year it seems a little muted and a little quiet. But maybe this year, it will be more focused on the spirit. More focused on the meaning and more focused on each other instead of just the children. It will be different. Not a dream Christmas anymore. But a time to at all of my "gifts" with eyes wide open. Hopefully, I made some memories for them. I know they made them for me. Next week, I get to break out the holiday music. You see, I won't do it until after Thanksgiving. And I will drive around looking for the brightest light displays in town. December, is the best Month out of the entire year.