Tis the Season

The Christmas decorations are up (minus the tree and illuminated snowman for the front porch), I started my Christmas Card mailing list, family portraits are scheduled, and my gift recipient list is done. Only 10,000 more things to do in less than a month. I'm always amazed and irritated by my own inability to drastically simplify my life. I hate the mad rush, but I can't let go of the feeling that I really should do all this stuff and if I don't I'm slacking in my duties. This week alone I have to plan something fun to do on Jordan's birthday, bake him birthday treats (no eggs as he has a classmate who is allergic), make sure the egg-free brownie mix meets with parental approval, buy and assemble all the elements for our family portrait outfits, interview 6 local business owners and write an article for the local paper about how they think the holiday season will affect local retail business, go to the grocery store, etc. etc. etc. Hopefully I can get it all done without driving myself or the kids crazy in the process. The thing is, Jordan wants to go somewhere and do something every day, but only if it's fun - no boring errands allowed. And Sasha has really started walking like crazy and doesn't want to spend a second of waking time strapped into a car seat, shopping cart or stroller. Ah well, at least I won't be bored ;)