On one hand, telling the kids that Christmas is coming is awesome. The excitement! The joy! The anticipation! Lording the threat of Buddy the Elf and Santa watching them 24/7 over their heads!

On the other hand, my GAWD is it Christmas yet?! The kids are out of their ever loving minds leading up to this holiday.  The anticipation is killing them and they are acting like crazy monsters.  Ever read Lama Lama Holiday Drama? Yeah, it’s like that.

Part of me honestly thinks that next year, we’re just going to spring Christmas on the kids on the 24th.

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I wrote the above about 45 minutes after we got home from school- 45 minutes during which either 1 or both of the kids were crying/screaming/tantruming about something.  But gradually the night improved.  In the middle of the Bean’s bath, Scorch decided to jump in the tub with her- something that hasn’t happened in almost a year. 2 big kids + 1 small tub = disaster so we just don’t do joint baths any more. Imagine my surprise when both kids emerged from the tub smiling, laughing and not sporting any fresh bruises.   Dinner was a peaceful affair and even our bedtime ritual of reading books went off without the usual spats.   Prayers were said and with the exception of the Bean insisting the only thing she was thankful for tonight was poop, I didn’t have to reprimand the kids once.

I may just believe in Christmas miracles after all.