It's Christmastime!

It's 9.7 degrees (Fahrenheit, not Celsius!). And that's warmer than when I first rose this am. YEP, we got ourselves a real, honest to goodness winter wonderland outside. Just last week, only four days ago, my boys were outside playing in shorts and t-shirts and barefeet. Today it's too cold to even enjoy the snow for more than 15 minutes at a time.

And this isn't even New England.

Nearly every house in our neighborhood is decorated (including ours, even though some of it doesn't show up through all the ice and snow). And now our house is gearing up for FULL-ON CHRISTMASTIME! The boys have already started making decorations, and new ornaments for the tree. The shopping is almost done so we can start the wrapping, always fun with tape-impaired children.

And as soon as I can kick this latest sinus infection we'll all be messing up the kitchen with our baking creations, which actually turn out more like science experiments and art projects. But first, I should clean it.

November was mild. And quiet. Even Thanksgiving was a low-key, quiet family day for us. But now the December winds are blowing, snow is blanketing our world, and twinkling lights brighten up the evenings. All in preparation for the Big Day.

All this to remember the lowly birth of a baby in a stable full of animals. Whether we got the date right doesn't matter. Whether we incorporate pagan rituals into our celebrations doesn't matter. Whether we spend a lot of money or a little doesn't matter. What matters is that I Believe, and I Celebrate and I teach my children the true meaning of Christmas.

May the magic of Christmas shine on all year.