Making Our Lists, Checking Them Twice

Well it sure is a crazy time of year!  As I know most parents with small children would agree, being one of Santa's helpers is a full-time job!  Add that to another couple of full-time jobs, preparations for Christmas company, and lots of fun parties, and December is busy busy busy (as Prof. Hinkle would say - if you don't get that reference, perhaps your kids don't watch Frosty a hundred times a season like ours do).  But it's all so worth it, seeing those smiles get bigger and those eyes grow wider with every opening of an advent calendar box, drawer, or window.  Santa recently sent one of his trusty elves to live with us, whom we've named Jones, so that's added an extra bit of fun every morning - trying to locate Jones and figure out what trouble he's gotten into during the night.  Although I remind the boys that Jones is always watching for best behavior to report back to Santa, Jones is hardly a model of manners himself.  We found our naughty little elf swinging from the dining room chandelier a few mornings ago, for goodness sakes!  With only five (gulp!) more days until Christmas, there is hardly time for things like replacing that darn string of lights that won't stay lit outside, dealing with the fact that every fruit fly in New England has chosen our kitchen as its happy home, or writing blog posts.  So I'll leave it at that and show you a few (fuzzy) pictures of all the fun we've been up to this month. 

Elfing around.

Needing to do exactly what his brother does, even if it does give Dad a hernia.

Hanging out with friends.

Or on top of friends.

Going to cookie decorating parties.  Notice that while other kids are decorating cookies, mine is inhaling his.   I will spare you the post-cookie pictures, but let's just say 6 four year olds + free access to all the sugar you can eat = some crazy crazy times.

Watching Christmas specials with Helen at Grandma and Grandpa's Christmas party.

Assisting at the piano during caroling.

Trying to get a family picture.

Getting ready to bake Christmas cookies for our annual cookie swap.

"I can't believe Mom is actually letting us sit on the counter!"

Taking a breather from all the holiday drama.

With all the fun ahead this week, I doubt that I'll post again until Santa's come and gone.  Between now and then, I plan to spend any free moments (yeah right) with my feet up, enjoying our beautiful Christmas tree and soaking in everything that comes with this glorious season.  Because it really, truly is the most wonderful time of the year, especially with two little boys who make it all so special.  Merry Christmas from The Stockwells!