Oh my. I must confess that even I am getting a tad excited for Christmas.

I spent last evening at the elementary school for their annual Christmas concert Even though we homeschool we still have 2 nieces who go and so off we go every year to see. Every year I am struck by how much Jesus is still included in this event. I think we are very fortunate indeed. We also had our Sunday School concert last Sunday evening. Since both our girls had speaking and singing parts - it's been a part of our week for some time. It was great to watch - and there is something simple and wonderful about watching children proclaim the birth of Jesus.

I also spent last night wrapping. Now this gets me downright giddy. I love going over the girls gifts, imagining just how excited they will be on Christmas morning.

But the one thing that I love about this season are the traditions that have evolved into important parts of our Christmas celebrations. Christmas eve dinner is always at our house. I make seafood chowder in maritime tradition (in Reid's family anyway) and it is rich and wonderful. Then it's off to Church and back to my parents for "the Davies snack" as it has come to be called. We are quite a crowd. My family of 4, my parents, my sister's family of 6 plus 2 young adults that my sister's family has "adopted". This year we're joined by my brother-in-law's parents from North Carolina. Christmas morning is us waking up to see what Santa has brought. There are no other gifts at our house. Just stockings and whatever Santa has left under the tree. After enjoying this we head off to my sister's house for a yummy breakfast and the lighting of the "Jesus" candle in our advent wreath, and finally then head down to my folks to open the rest of our gifts.

It spreads the day out a bit and slows us down to enjoy each individual activity. Slowness is important. You can imagine what it's like with 6, yup, six, girls, 12 and under. Crazy. and fabulous.

I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Merry Christmas everyone.