today's highlights

breakfast in bed.
orange juice in a small marta glass.
(thank you, dave & ariane!)
yoga class. with dan.
running errands. as a family.
choosing the smallest tree of the bunch.
because it really is perfect. perfect for us.
getting it freshly cut, right then and there. thank you, home depot.
glad dan insists on getting a real tree every year. it smells divine.
my two boys building train tracks around the tree together.
never being too old to lie on our tummies to watch the christmas train.
benji saying all aboard! over and over again.
unwrapping the book apple tree christmas (thank you for the suggestion!)
rediscovering favorite ornaments.
especially the hand carved santa in overalls & cowboy hat with candy cane in his back pocket! 
making home movies with the G11. best purchase of the year.
plugging in the space heater. yay.
hanging happy glitter stars on the tree.
opting out of silver this season. it's a gold, red and white year.
plaid, pretty polka dot and red with lime green were big themes in years past.
delighted that dan offered to make a run for an extra string of lights tonight.
(the bottom half of the tree is still unlit.)
benij's button up reindeer jammies. better known as moose jammies.
and our stockings on the wall? also known as big socks.
trying to memorize my little boy's face all aglow.
narnia and wonderful life on television tonight. 
deciding our tree needs a paper chain garland. another nap time craft.
a cheery way to recycle old magazines.
singing silent night and away in a manger for tonight's lullabies.
cocoa and cinnamon toast for supper.
eating on christmasy dishes all month long. 

a few more reminders
st. lucia day is monday. 
i may be baking my mom's rice pudding for the occasion. 
the zig velum writer (pictured here) is my favorite for christmas cards. 
i am thinking about the george bailey award, a favorite family ritual. 
the auction and bidding has begun! 

currently playing in my house: Here Comes Santa Claus / Doris Day