Holiday stuff.

I have figured out that the holiday season gets harder as the kids get older. Every year I say I am not acting crazy, I WILL remember the reason for the season.  Every year I have one or maybe two moments where I feel like curling up in the middle of  Target and crying.  I usually have a few events that drain my Christmas spirit.  Here is the list  for Christmas....buy gifts for family, teachers, Sunday school teachers, bus drivers, guitar teachers.  There are holiday parties, both friends and work,school Christmas programs, making Christmas cards, mailing Christmas cards, angel trees at church. Choir performances,  pictures with Santa, show and tell.  Tree decorating, cookie making, caroling, gift wrapping, being room mom, class parties.  I am sure I am forgetting a few things.  I LOVE each and every one of these items on my list, it is sometimes they all attack at once and I am left to assume that 3 ghosts will visit me at night to improve my "spirit".

This is where a 4 year old comes in.  If you do not have one of these amazing things, please go borrow one, at least for the holiday season.

I love my nine year old just as much as my 4 year old, but at 4 the perspective on the world is AMAZING.  My 9 year old was just as wide-eyed with the world at 4, now she is a wise and sometimes cynical tween.
Here are conversations I have had with L (my 4 year old) in the past week, yes I have been writing these down.

I asked her if she had any preference on tennis shoes I would be getting her.
"Yes mom, it should have a sparkly Eiffel tower, a big unicorn and a flower on it"

From the backseat of my car. L told me the Christmas story. She talked of donkeys, and baby Jesus being born. Mary, Joseph and a few more details. She added in her own touch by telling me that Mary and the wisemen fly at the end and then the pilgrims come too.

" Mom did you know that God has a beard, I like beards, I think it is a good idea"

We were in the car for 30 minutes and here was the path of our conversation ..all lead by L. I am just writing her side of the conversation

• Mom, do you remember when I fished with papaw and he didn't catch anything, and I did. maybe he wants to borrow my fishing pole.
• Remember when I went to snoopy land with aunt Lara, I love that. Is kings Island open? why not? when will it be open? how long away is that? 
• I loved Disney world, will we fly on a plane again like we did for Disney world?
• I love pulling weeds. When can I pull weeds again?
• I hope the apple seed grows that I planted in the yard, I love apples. How many trees are going to grow?
• Can I plant more?
• I think my bear is a princess bear.  
• mom start counting.....WHEW!!! DO you know what I did while you were counting, I held my breath, can you count again?
• Is our car going as fast as a Cheetah? I have seen a real cheetah before. Do you think we are going faster now?  
• Mom, I love you.
• When I turn 5, I want to have a party. I want a cake with a unicorn on it. Can there be a princess riding the unicorn?
• (singing) bird, bird, bird's the word.

Now lets pretend you have not spent much time with a 4 year old. You are probably wanting me to take mine to the Dr. for an evaluation. Nope, this is just what 4 is. I LOVE it. LOOOOOOOOVE it.  I am sure that the Christmas spirit I have left is due to that blue-eyed funny kid!!