It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I love the Holiday season, from Halloween to the big bang of New Years, but I have to admit, Christmas is probably my least favorite of them.  I never really had good memories of Christmas growing up; my mom always had to work; (I never ever got a barbie, hah), everyone always seemed to be stressed out, there was always money worries, etc.  But since meeting Jamie I’ve tried to change my outlook on the season.  He’s soooo into Christmas, it is pretty cute.  He loves to shop for me and the kids, loves to help bake all the treats, wraps all the gifts, decorates like a madman.  He and the Hughes' family have gotten us to start some family traditions that I love.  Watching all the Christmas movies (although I refuse to watch A Christmas Story), Elf on the Shelf, making cookies and Chex mix (I’m more of a muddy buddys person so we make different varieties every week), doing an advent calendar, matching pajamas, egg nog etc.  Although I’ll probably still stress out about how much money we spend and what gift to get people, I’m glad that we’re able to create some great family memories every year.  This past weekend we went to a little holiday parade and fair, and the kids got to see Santa Clause.  I couldn’t tell whether Isla was scared or bored of the Santa.  Kainoa told me he knew this wasn’t the real one, so he wasn’t interested either.  LOL  I loved the fact that the Santa was “free”.  You didn’t have to buy a package of pictures to see him, you could take your own pictures.  He was also very sweet and spend time trying to talk to the kids.