Christmas is days away and I feel like I have spent every waking moment shopping, wrapping, planning, decorating and preparing for the big day. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. I love Christmas. It is, by far, my favorite holiday. All the scurrying around is time consuming, but it is time spent thinking about the ones you love and what makes them happy. Sam mentioned yesterday that she loves Christmas gifts that are surprises the best, "because that means someone else thought about what you like best and bought it for you." It warms my heart to know I am raising a thoughtful gift giver (at least one).
It seems like every Christmas-y thing I have done this year has been done with a nagging thought in the back of my mind...this is the last Christmas I have before Little Helmut leaves home. It isn't really a rational thought. I realize he will be able to come home from college to spend next Christmas with us, but the thought is there all the same. I am trying my best to channel that nagging thought in a positive direction. Concentrating more on enjoying each moment with him and concentrating less on "poor pity me, my baby is leaving me soon".
Our Christmas tree is up and decorated (has been since days after Thanksgiving). It is complete with five new ornaments, one for each member of our family. I got a Santa for Helmut. I like to add a Santa to the tree every year and Helmut is hard to buy for, so that's why he got a Santa.
I got a hedgehog, because I thought he was absolutely too adorable to leave at the store.
I got Samantha this bear. The store had absolutely zero volleyball themed ornaments, so I had to go with a cute animal instead. She is a sucker for a cute animal.
I got Little Helmut this vintage inspired rocket ship. In his Tech HUNCH club, he has been working on a project for NASA. Something to do with hex bolts and such. If it goes well, it will be used on the space station. So, I thought a rocket ship was very fitting for him.
I got Joshua a big ol' cheeseburger. He is pretty famous around our house for ordering a triple meat, triple cheese burger every time we go to Whataburger...and finishing the entire thing. So when I saw this ornament at Hobby Lobby I snapped it up, and from the look on his face when he opened it up I would say I got it just right.