Christmas with Pumpkin

With a little more than ten (yes, count them down) days to go until Santa arrives, the anticipation builds each minute for me. Pumpkin still isn't fully aware of what the holiday brings or that Santa will be bringing her gifts, but Mamma Pumpkin is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Ole St. Nick and the presents I know will bring absolute joy to Pumpkin.

Our tree has been up for a few weeks now and, accept for an ornament that has Mommy and Daddy's photo in it that draws Pumpkin's touch at least ten times a day, she has left the tree alone. Beneath the tree is a package from Auntie Teresa and soon the box from Cousin Jarrett will join it. Then, the tree will seem a little less lonely.

Pumpkin has begun using her imagination full-throttle. Just this morning when I got her out of bed, she stood and handed me an apple and celery that she was pretending to eat in her crib. She also like to take her baby blanket and wrap up a book to pretend it's a present or that it holds shirts, pants, socks and necklaces and bracelets that Mommy and Daddy have to put on. Then, of course, is her stick pony that she carries around like an "Umella" (umbrella). It's just delightful to see those black eyes working with creativity.

Mamma Pumpkin loves Christmas; as much today as when she herself was a toddler. I love the cards, the photos, the tree and yes, the presents. As I write this, DH is in the basement wrapping his surprises for me. I'm an admitted snooper, so with luck, I'll contain myself enough to leave them alone for these last few days. But, I also enjoy gift giving. Each year I have special gifts that I cannot wait to give, because I want to see the reaction of the recipient. This year, those gifts are for Daddy, Pumpkin, Nana, Uncle Boo, Aunt Kelly and Pap Pap. All the gifts I've chosen are good ones and selected for specific reasons, but some are just a little more unique. So, as much as I anticipate my own gifts, I anticipate other's receipt of our gifts just as much.

Christmas is for kids, indeed. I have said to DH at least fifty times by now how I cannot wait for Pumpkin to open this gift of that as I know how excited she'll be. But, just as importantly, it's for adults to feel again the joy of childhood, too. Even if briefly, we can go back in our minds to those precious moments when the smell of new plastic, paper and tape permeated throughout our homes and that awful decision had to be made: which toy do I take with me while we go visiting all Christmas day? And, even if you wait for weeks for an event that takes all of 20 minutes to conclude, it's so very worth it for the lifetime of memories it leaves behind.

Merry Christmas, everyone! God bless us all with each and every joyous moment of the season.