Kindness.

I'll be honest: we don't live in the best area. Lots of Nextdoor posts about break-ins and gunshots. A very diverse neighborhood though, with lots of families. And such kind people - our next-door neighbors and the people that live behind us both gave gifts to my kids. They certainly didn't have to do that, and it's not like anyone around here has a lot of money - which makes it so much sweeter. (I'm sure they kind of pity us, but still. It's very kind.)

Merry Christmas!

You go, Dallas

We did the carriage ride to look at Christmas lights tonight (Beau literally screamed the entire time), and they started in the parking lot of Jasper's Uptown. As we were heading out, they were setting up a large inflatable movie screen and some tables with heaters. They were just starting things up when we returned, and we asked what movie they were showing: The Santa Clause! The guy said they are doing this every Thursday and Saturday through the holidays. Granted, there was no one there, but I like the thinking outside the box and keeping people safe and outside. Brava, Jasper's.

We're going to need a bigger boat.

I really need to start putting Santa gifts together. I don't think I will be able to get everything done on Christmas Eve. If only I had a spare room or garage or storage unit to build and hide this crap. Might just have to use my closet and say it's Under Construction for a week. Send thoughts and prayers.

Who has this kind of time

I bought this face scrub that says you are supposed to scrub it on your face for 2 minutes. 2 minutes?? Do you know how long 2 minutes is when you are washing your face? I get bored after about 15 seconds. So I'm sure my skin would look much better if I actually followed the directions, but seriously folks. My entire SHOWER takes about 2 minutes. 

A walking billboard

Georgie watches these weirdo videos on YouTube where people peel playdoh off of toys, and I guess they are from Toys Unlimited, because she randomly blurts that out every now and then. She also listens to Alexa so much that she has started peppering the phrase "on Amazon music" throughout the day. Girl should get paid for this.

Heavy.

On a whim I bought a new fire pit for the backyard. It was like $400, so more than I have spent on previous fire pits but less than the super fancy ones which are like $2000. It is made of stone and actually looks amazing with the location in the yard, but it arrived on a pallet and weighs 600 pounds. The guy wouldn't move it past the driveway, so we had this massive stone thing sitting there for a few days before I got our handyman to come over (with a friend) and put it together in its final resting place (too heavy to ever move again, obvi). We have already had a fire in it, and Georgie had her first s'more. So that's money well spent already!

A very Griswold Christmas

More Christmas light drama with the tree. Last night I came out into the den after giving the kids a bath and the tree was completely dark. No lights at all. WHAT IN THE ACTUAL HELL IS GOING ON. I guess one strand must be out, and we seem to have fixed it now, but seriously folks. At this point this tree may be lit on Christmas - with flames.

Million dollar idea?

Similar to the breathalyzer in cars, which you have to blow into to be able to drive, there should be some sort of lock on online shopping on phones in the middle of the night. I swear I buy stuff at 3am and then it arrives and it's like Christmas - no clue I bought that! Sheesh

I speak as an authority on the matter

I have watched enough Hallmark Christmas movies in my life (and may or may not fall asleep to them every night), and realize the allure is the following:

Snowy little town, best if named something like Mistletoe 

Cozy inn or enormous home, with Christmas trees and lights in every room

Single mom or single gal who works too much 

Sparks fly and a romance blooms within a week of Christmas

Et voila! Movie magic.