christmas spirit

Well here we are...four days until Christmas! I don't quite know what to say except that emotions are high in this house. Contrary to the peaceful picture above (taken this morning) we have seen it all in these first few hours of the day. Tears, tantrums, silliness and happiness. Honestly, sometimes the most exhausting part of motherhood is just keeping up with everyone's feelings.

Also, I'm just plain tired. Hattie (did you see her in the yellow chair?) got a cold and her little nose is stuffy and wakes her up. We had a very wakeful night last night and today I have gone back to fully caffeinated coffee with enough maple syrup to make Buddy the Elf proud.

But! Can I tell you my best kept secret for getting into the proper Christmas spirit? Last night we started watching The Nativity Story. Oh it is just my favorite. We always are hesitant to put in...I mean, we know how the story goes! But that movie is so stunning, the dialogue so beautiful and the music so powerful. And then the meaning of all of these presents, gatherings, and festivities hits me anew and leaves me set right. Every year it does. So if the lack of snow has got you down, be sure to watch it in the next few nights. It will bring peace to your heart. Truly.

And if you need a dose of christmas spirit right this very minute, heeeeerrrrrre's Ivar!