It's that time of year....

It's officially the holiday season. Which means, as usual, I am experiencing conflicting emotions. I alternate between "yay! I love Christmas!" And "yay...Christmas." This Christmas especially seems to be drawing out any bipolar tendencies that may be lurking in my personality. But Oliver is way into Christmas this year. I don't think he really understands what it is, but he keeps getting told, "wait till Christmas" or "you can't get that today because it may already be under the Christmas tree." (That last one is not usually spoken aloud.) So, needless to say, he's really excited. The other day, he actually started kissing our ornaments and telling me they were pretty and he wanted to give them a hug.  This will be our first Christmas separated, and we haven't worked out a schedule for festivities yet, but I'm hoping it won't cause too much of a disturbance. But, before I get sidetracked, Christmas is that one time of year when people generally tend to remember that there are others out there who are in need. And that's why Christmas is my favorite time of year. I've decided that I'm not going to go over board on gifts to the kids. It looks like I have a lot of gifts under the tree, but I actually forgot and wrapped Oliver's stocking stuffers. So he'll be unwrapping a lot of non gift items like a ninjas turtle toothbrush and stuff. (And mom keeps bringing over presents when she thinks I'm not looking.) But I do not want my kids associating Christmas with how many gifts they can receive. I would much rather them learn it is the season for giving. So, we will be donating old toys and trying to buy some for toy drives. And hopefully, I'll have some time to get out there and be useful to someone. If you have any creative ideas, let me know. I refuse to sing but I'll gladly be the one that serves some warm cider while everyone else carols away. Please remember the less fortunate. Remember those without toys or a Christmas dinner and find a way to serve someone this holiday.  And watch Little Women at least once because it's my favorite movie for the holidays!