December

Have I mentioned that I love Christmas?  And not just Christmas Day, but the entire month of December.  I love the Christmas music, the baking, spending time with family, giving gifts, advent, St Nicklaus day, decorating, and even travel.  The only thing I don't like is the craziness of trying to fit everything in.  Each year I say that I'm going to get all of my shopping and decorating done before Christmas, but it never happens.  Until this year!!!  Somehow, even though I'm busier this year than ever, I was able to get (almost) all of my shopping done early!  As well as my decorating, ordering my cards and advent.  While I about went crazy last week trying to get it all done, I'm SO excited now, because I can relax and enjoy it all.
I feel like I need to preface this whole Christmas season by saying I KNOW that I'm probably going to go overboard... especially considering Kera doesn't have a clue what's going on with all of my traditions.  I even debated if it was worth doing advent for her.  But, I decided that half of it is for my own enjoyment, so I might as well have some fun with it!  And she'll have the pictures later in life.
So, last weekend we went Christmas tree shopping.  I guess because I get so excited about all of this, I think Kera should be excited, too.  And she never is.  So looking at all the Christmas trees, she seemed to give off the "You guys are crazy" vibe.  Even once we got it home, put it up, put lights and ornaments on, she still didn't seem that impressed.  Hanging her two ornaments on the tree may have piqued her interest a bit, but otherwise she's left it alone.
I really debated advent, because it can get a little pricey.  We did do a little project for Kera's grandmas (pictures of her telling the Christmas story), and I almost let that be enough, but at the last minute I compromised and did a calendar.  I made my own out of empty baby food jars and am giving her magnetic letters for the refrigerator.  So, she gets one letter per day.  It's neat because she likes the shiny numbers and gets excited opening them.  And she has fun putting the letter on the refrigerator.
Next up is St Nicklaus day.  This is a German tradition that my family always does, which consists of leaving your shoes outside your window, and St Nick will leave you a treat.  Traditionally it's an orange or a piece of chocolate; something simple.  However, she can't eat those treats, so I wanted to give her a gift.  As I mentioned, we have our shopping done, including all of Keragan's gifts.  It's hard enough to wait a whole month to give her these toys we know she'll love, so we can't decide which one gift to give her this week.  She may end up with a whole bunch of St Nick gifts...