Welcome Christmas

In some ways it feels like December just snuck up on me.  In others it has just been forever since last December.  We celebrated Thanksgiving and then put the tree up (which at our house is like dropping a tornado into the living room ~ messy and really stressful ~ we had to change our underwear and take a time out).  Not only is the tree up but all the decorations we can put up are out.  We can say the spirit of cheer is here! 

We are days into the magic of December.  Oh I know there will be those who fault me right now but in our house there is magic, wonder, giving, excitement and plenty of kindness.  In our house there are no presents until Christmas day.  Nothing goes out or under or around the tree until December 25.  I mean NOTHING.  It happened accidentally because of impulse control and mommy nearly lost her mind.  But imagine the surprise of being little and not knowing what day it is anyway and then BLAM waking up and there are MILLIONS (or even 5!) of little boxes to open!  It is magic. 

We have the Elf (Espen does not name things, never has, just calls them what they are, so Elf on the Shelf is his name but mommy just calls him Elfy).  The Elf is creative and clever.  He leaves messages and does stunts.  He brings chocolates and dollars.  Elfy encourages Espen to give things to others.  Elfy also helps my child with some impulse control.  Espen likes to touch, feel, smell and taste things.  He is not allowed to touch Elfy.... he is doing really good so far and we are really proud of him.  We can see how hard it is some days to not pick that little elf up and hold him.  Elfy doesn't really care if we break things or act naughty.  We are not judged on transgressions of the rules or accidents because even the Elf breaks the rules.  Elfy does care that we mind our manners and do our best.  That we make every attempt to be good all the time not just now.  Elfy reminds us we start each day fresh and new to search out what the world holds for us. 

We have an advent calendar of sorts.  It is a tree of wooden boxes.  I remove all the boxes and we put one in each day.  So if he counts the empty holes, he knows how many days until Christmas.  It teaches math and counting.  Each box has a number on it, we work on number recognition.  Some days there is a chocolate in the box.  Some days there is money for the red bucket or a less fortunate person or when he asked me if he could mail it to his cousins I got out an envelope for him.  He doesn't get to keep the money.  He is encouraged to give to someone else.  Just anyone. 

We go see the lights and the decorations.  We let the cold air chill our noses.  We hear the sounds of the music and we dance when the mood strikes us.  We shout MERRY CHRISTMAS to strangers because it is what we celebrate.  We pay it forward and accept kindness in return. 

There is no greater gift in my heart then to see the joy on my son's face when he spots Elfy.  The look of wonder and excitement when he watches Santa.  The compassion he shows giving to others.  The restraint he manufactures when he wants more than anything to get his way.  The life lessons I can teach him while we have the magic of the season are immeasurable. 

The lessons of the season do not go unheard in our house.  They just are accompanied by the magic!