Sooo relaxed...it's Christmas!

I love this time of year. Not only am I on holidays but the whole world feels decorated. Our Christmas tree is up, there are red bows around the trees in our street, and every public place is awash in red and gold and green. We have finished our Christmas shopping and have only to wrap presents and finish (start) writing out cards. Bliss.

It's impossible to go anywhere though without people complaining about Christmas. When we had the shop, it was a constant stream of customers all saying the same thing: 'I hate Christmas.' Did they mean it? Or was it just something to say? Was there any joy in the day, or was it the lead up to Christmas they hated? I never could figure it out. And never wanted to be in that place where a time of celebration and family could be so unpleasant.

Since we had the boys, there is renewed joy in Christmas. Their faces light up at every image of Santa and they spend hours working on their letters to Santa. They count down the days with delight, poke the presents under the tree and admire Baby Jesus. Bliss!

Today we took the boys to see Santa. This was the first year Xave would have his photo taken with him - mostly because I insisted that I'd waited long enough to see him sit next to Santa, and this was the year it was going to happen. Both boys loved it and talked happily with Santa and Mrs Claus on the magic sleigh.

Mostly, I'm just rejoicing in the fact that I'm actually relaxed for once. With all the time in the world, I'm much more patient with the boys. There's time to read, exercise and play; we can go to the park, play boardgames and read multiple bedtime stories. No wonder Christmas is a joy!