I was one of those people that looked with disdain on others last year who bought one. I thought it was somehow more “fake” than what was already fake. But now I’m a believer, I’m converted and I will NEVER go back.

I bought a pre-lit christmas tree. I put it up in about 5 minutes. And then I just plugged it in. Done, that’s all. No wrapping, no frigging, no checking bulbs, etc. All perfectly lit. It’s beautiful and it’s amazingly simple. I’m in holiday bliss:)

The xmas festivities are starting and I’m still somewhat in denial that it is December. Both Bram and Alec have xmas concerts/parties on Friday. Then there’s something every week right up until xmas. We’ve got our tree decorated, built a gingerbread train (pictures coming), that we are taking to my uncle in York Manor. I’ve got about half the xmas shopping completed. But I don’t feel it yet. I just don’t feel like it’s xmas time. I think it’s because I’ve been so busy working and I haven’t got out much (there’s an understatement, lol).

The really good news though is that Kevin (my ex for new readers) offered to have me keep the kids all xmas day. Typically he takes them for xmas eve, brings them back at bedtime. They stay with me till about 1:00 pm on xmas day till they go with Kevin to his parent’s house for xmas dinner. But this year the kids will stay with me all day and go to Kevin on boxing day. I’m excited about it as it means more time to relax and watch the kids play with their toys.

And yes, I confess, it wasn’t overly appealing to think about spending the rest of xmas by myself. I’ve thought about that a lot this xmas. Because up until the change of plans, I’d been feeling a bit bummed out about it. It also made me think about all the other people who spend xmas alone. Those like myself that have family scattered too far & wide to visit and those who don’t have a significant other or children to spend the day with them. Christmas is a time of joy in many ways, but I know an awful lot of people that it brings up painful memories at times. However, for me, Christmas is seeing it through the eyes of Alec & Bram and I’m grateful to be spending the day with them:)

I keep forgetting about Christmas. I was on the phone with someone today and we were booking a meeting and I suggested a week from Monday. They paused, and said “that’s Christmas Day”. Oh yeah, I replied realizing that once again Christmas had slipped from my consciousness. It hovers in an out when I think of the things left for me to do for the kids. I’m nearly done shopping, just a few more items to pick up. I’m finding it a lot harder to shop for Alec now that he is older. He’s getting more selective about toys and doesn’t really play with “toys” as much anymore. Although, lego and other building items are still loved. I know he wants a remote control car but other than there isn’t anything he’s specifically asked for. He’s always been like that, never one to have a huge list of things he wants for xmas (unlike Bram who could probably fill a book with his wants, lol). So I’m struggling with the last couple of items for Alec, and think a visit to Chapters may solve that dilemma.  

I’ve been a good (boring) girl this year.

This year for Xmas I’d like;

1. a new basketball (so the guys at bball can stop complaining that mine doesn’t feel right, no don’t go there Santa;))

2. a –censored–

3. time (hey if you’ve got it figured out how to fly around the world in one night, I’m sure you can share the time thing)

4. and a –censored–

5. a gift certificate from Avalon Salon Spa (I’ve asked for this for xmas for about 3 years now Santa, still waiting - note to self - make 2007 the year to budget in spa certificate)

6. Snow for the kids on xmas morning, although just enough to dust the ground. I don’t want to shovel anything.

So Santa, I don’t think that’s too much to ask for. Oh and #4, well, if you can’t find that, that’s ok, but no knock off’s, has to be the real thing.

Alec had his school christmas concert yesterday. He had a lot of fun in this year because he was in the drama club. They were christmas rappers wearing their black hoodies and rapping away, lol. Then today his afterschool group was singing at the Regent Mall. I’m more or less done my shopping, just some grocery items to pick up and that’s about it. I’m taking the kids to see Charlotte’s Web on the weekend, so that should be fun.

Alec told me this week that the kids have been calling him a goodie two shoes and all I have to say to that, is thank god, something is going right, lol. So far this year has been Alec’s best year yet. Challenges at times, yes, but overall, it’s been great. Last week I watched Mozart and the Whale, a movie about adults with asperger’s and while there were aspects of behaviour I recognized in Alec, it also confirmed that Alec’s asperger’s is very mild comparatively.

Four more sleeps till xmas as Bram would say. In some ways I’m just as excited as the kids are as I love watching them open their presents and discover their goodies in the morning:)