What is your favorite part of Christmas?

I asked my kids this question today. Their replies:
Morgan said "saying Merry Christmas to people!"

And Trevor's response: "That it's Jesus's birthday" (this kid never fails to just melt my heart!)

My favorite part of Christmas? Oh dear... the list could go on and on! I am really enjoying seeing the AMAZEMENT in the kids eyes this year. Its so neat to see it the way they do. To hear their innocent comments, see the wonder on their faces, and watch them carefully write their letters to Santa. While I do think there is a bit of commercialism in the holiday, we do our best to try to teach the kids the "reason for the season." And when I hear comments above from Trevor it just warms my heart as a parent. For all the things we do wrong as parents, I think (and pray) maybe we are doing some things right too.

From our family to yours... have a blessed holiday season!

Positive Peer Pressure

Morgan is now 3 years and 9 months old. For nearly all of those years and month, she has been hesitant to go to strangers. I'm sure is often mistaken as being snotty because she will not willingly talk to people she does not know... not even a simple "Hi." About a month ago I took her to the mall with me (which we have only recently been able to do without having a major meltdown) to buy new shoes for her Christmas dress. Low and behold, Santa was there that day making a visit! She would not even look at him. She buried her head in me and wanted to walk around the back of his chair because she DID NOT WANT TO SEE HIM. Now really, I can't blame her. Why would any little kid want to see a big, older man, with a beard that covers his face? On their level it probably is a bit scary.

Fast forward a month, and Santa makes a visit to school! Wow! What a surprise! All of Morgan's friends in her preschool class sat on his lap. Then what do you know...

She sat on Santa's lap! Now that is what I call positive peer pressure! She asked him for a princess castle with a Cinderella doll.

When it was the kindergartner's turn, Trevor walked right up to him and got his picture taken. He asked for a butterfly catcher.