What Puts You In The Christmas Spirit? I don't have all the shopping done. I have a huge pile of presents to wrap, and I still haven't sent all of the Christmas cards.
But in spite of a long to-do list, I am in the Christmas spirit this year more than most in recent memory.
O.K., I admit to a little bah-humbugging last night while wrapping Christmas presents (not my favorite holiday activity.) I think my husband may have accurately likened me to Scrooge at that moment.
And I do feel a little stressed about getting everything done.
But I am enjoying the idea of celebrating Christmas this year a little bit more than in the past. I've been listening to the music since Thanksgiving, and I've always thought the decorations dress up an otherwise dreary time of year. Even those are taking my breath away every now and then this month.
What causes you feel more "in the spirit" on any given year? I've been thinking a lot about this.
I don't think it's the music or the lights. I know it's not the wrapping and the presents.
I think it's a deeper gratitude and appreciation for my husband, my son, my step-daughters, and all of my family.
They are the best Christmas presents I could ever get. ¶ 1:23 PM 1 comments

Turkey Vultures And Kangaroos This is a tricky time of year. Even the most committed to keeping the spirit of Santa alive can make a misstep every now and then.
It happened to me about two weeks ago.
My six-year-old son wanted to visit the World Bird Sanctuary's "Christmas Is For The Birds" event on the first Saturday in December. He'd recently become interested in birds, thanks to a school presentation on the talents of the turkey vulture. It seems they vomit on their enemies if they ever feel threatened. Fascinating stuff for a kindergarten boy, especially since the bird itself was on display while the talk was underway.
Birds quickly became his favorite animal, turkey vultures in particular, and a holiday visit to the World Bird Sanctuary was planned.
As I read him the description of the event from the organization's web site, it mentioned getting a photo taken with their special "wilderness" Santa who would be holding a live raptor. (A great horned owl, as it turned out.)
His head whipped around. Not the REAL Santa, he wanted to know?
Gotcha.
My mind raced. Almost without missing a beat, I said I didn't know, and we'd have to see when we got there.
The question never came up again, even after the photo op with wilderness Santa and his owl.
But it was a good reminder of how a parent concerned about keeping the magic alive must always be on guard against accidentally giving it all away.
There's another event we attend each year, coming up a little closer to Christmas. He knows he'll see Santa there. I've overheard him telling people that it is at that event that he plans to see Santa.
Looks like we'll keep the magic alive for another year.
By the way, he informed me this morning that kangaroos are his new favorite animal. ¶ 6:45 PM 0 comments