There are three key phrases that I find myself repeating over and over to our youngest:

1.  Keep eating.

2.  Turn down the T.V.

3.  Sit down.

I'm sure there are more.  But this YouTube Mom says it all. 

Are you ready yet?  I'm not.  Although I promise myself every year that I will start earlier, I still find myself scrambling at the last minute to decorate, shop, etc.  My tree is up and decorated, but that's about it.  The stockings have not yet been hung by the chimney with care (luckily St. Nick came to my daughter's school), and the few presents that have been bought are still waiting to be de-tagged and wrapped.  As for outdoor lights, the snow and ice storms made that decision for us.

My friend, whose household is in a similar state, tried to put a positive spin on it:  Our houses are brimming with "Christmas potential." 

I have a serious case of "Christmas Card Envy". I have friends (and you know who you are!) who every year send me beautiful pictures of their families, sometimes accompanied by witty newsletters printed on holiday paper.  About 99% of the cards I received this year are of the family-picture postcard variety.  As I open them, I sigh -- longing for the day when the spirit of Christmas organization will fill me and make me think of taking pictures on our vacations -- pictures that actually have all family members in it and without someone blinking at the flash.

One friend, who never before sent me a newsletter and who I see on a fairly regular basis, sent me one this year.  Et tu, Brute?

I should, however, take a cue from another friend of mine.  She has four kids.  A few years ago, she decided not to send out Christmas pictures of her family anymore because trying to find the time during the holidays to take one and send it out stressed her out.  Instead, she takes a family picture in the spring and sends out Easter cards. 

But it will all get done; it always does.  And I still find time to enjoy the moments.

The preschooler had her first Christmas program this week, and we got a few chuckles watching the preschool angels, dressed in all their finery, fidgeting and fiddling with their "halos" -- so much so that a teacher had to be sent into the bleachers to keep the hallowed ones in line.

So, take heart, ye who are not yet ready.  We've still got a couple of days to go! 

The preschooler has just been churning them out lately. This chuckle requires some backstory.

The preschooler likes to print pictures off the Internet websites that she is allowed to access. Recently, she printed out two pictures, wrote the words "I love you Mom" on both of them and placed them neatly on my pillow. She did the same thing for her sister.

Now, lest you think the preschooler is all sweetness and light, this is also the same child who, when she is mad at you, will draw a picture of your face, draw a circle around it, and then put a big, black line right through the center of it. She will then tape that picture somewhere around the house where you will be sure to see it and know the force of her wrath.

So, anyway, the spouse comes home, notices the pictures on my pillow, and, in a voice that is a tad too casual, remarks that there is no picture for "Dad" on his side of the bed.

Later, I pull the preschooler aside and say, "Maybe you should make a picture for Dad too. He might feel sad if he doesn't have one." That evening, the spouse came into our bedroom with a strange but amused look on his face.

Spouse: Did you tell her that I wanted a picture?

Me: Well, I mentioned that you might want one. Why?

Spouse:  I was tucking her in, and she looked up and said, "Dad, there are two pictures in the garbage.  If you want one, you can go get it and put your name on it."

The season of giving -- preschooler style.
 

*******

Humorous Quote of the Day: 

"Anything you bring a monkey to is instantly 30 percent better.  Family reunions, labor negotiations, the DMV."

-- Jack Ferraiolo, Head Writer for the PBS show "WordGirl"

(I gotta admit that this quote just cracked me up when I read it, not sure why.  The spouse thinks it's just weird.)

Out of the mouth of my preschooler...

Preschooler:  Mom, you need more pzazz.

Me:  (defensively) I've got pzazz.  What do you think pzazz means anyway?

Preschooler:  It means fun.  You only do ordinary things.

Me:  Well, where should I get some pzazz? 

Preschooler:  From me.  I'm full of pzazz!

She's full of something alright.  I'm just not sure what.
 

Seen at Grasch's today...

The produce sign says "Gourmet EUROPEAN Seedless Cucumbers". 

The label on the cucumber says "Product of CANADA".

*** 

You might have already seen the advertising on BrookfieldNOW but Grasch Foods is holding its 25th Annual Brat Fest this Saturday, 9-15-07,  from 10 am to 4 pm.  In addition to food, a flyer I got today says that there will be balloon art and face painting for the kids.

Proceeds from each sale are being donated to the Waukesha County Special Olympics for transportation, equipment, and uniforms.