Not a creature was stirring...

100_8241, originally uploaded by callaghanse.

Fed, bathed and tucked in for the night, the wee folk were told that not until the first number on the clock read six were they to awaken any adults nor lay hands on a single gift.

My nieces, aged 4 and 3, were able to grasp this concept.... sort of.

Our child, not so much.

Luckily, the wee one, Josh and I were sequestered to the basement sleeping quarters for the night. So, at 5:42 when Sir Bangs-a-lot decided to test out a new rhythm on the closet door connecting the two bedrooms, no one upstairs was the wiser.

Until we unlocked the cage and let him out, of course.

I ignored him until 6:13, as instructed. After several rounds of The ABC Song, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, and some personal arrangements of his making, I decided to give his father a little quiet time before the flood gates were opened and Christmas morning swung into full swing.

Once free, Sea made a bee line for the stairs. To prolong the inevitable, I managed to stop him at the kitchen and force some cereal down his gullet before he made his presence completely known to the other adults and wee folk sleeping inches away.

7.6 minutes later, fed, hydrated and ready to pounce, I finally allowed Sea to embark upon and uncover the treasures lying in wait in the living room.

[patter patter patter patter].

[stop].

"Oh, YES!"

[run run run clomp clomp clomp clomp] down the hallway.

[hoots and hollers] "Look it! Oh, WOW!" [hoots and hollers]

[run run run clomp clomp clomp clomp] back up the hallway.

So, if anyone was actually sleeping before this point, they weren't anymore.

Luckily, the caffeine was flowing and no one minded... because after all, Christmas through a child's eyes is so worth it!

Better late than never...

SMC Aquarium Sepia, originally uploaded by callaghanse.

With the holidays upon me, I tend to start to manically implode into a frenzy of mindless and unorganized activity. I'm not really sure what everyone is receiving until it lands in a bag or a box or some sort of receptacle. However, the container is not really important anymore.

It used to be... but then we had a child.

A lot changes when children become the center of your world.

We had pretty decorations and lots of tiny things to put everywhere in our tiny apartment. Granted we only had about twenty ornaments, but they were all glass!

I am creative. I am a designer. I am a crafter. I am also a Virgo. And I love and crave pretty things that are well designed and have order and organization.

I would slave over making creative gifts and try to outdo myself every year.

So, with all of this in mind, I fall completely apart at Christmas. I can't focus. I over buy or I under buy, but never just enough. I plan and plan. I make multiple lists of various themes. However, none of it seems to help.

I always fall apart.

And although my husband is the sweetest, most loving best friend a girl could ever have, he is far worse than me on a regular day with organization and planning.

I [try to] keep the schedule. I buy the gifts. I write the cards. I wrap the gifts.

He buys my gift and makes sure the Shea-monster doesn't take out the Christmas tree during his impression of a tornado chasing a bull in a china shop. So although his part seems small, it is actually a major role with very few speaking parts. Perfect for Josh!

This year I downsized. I decided that since I was having surgery the middle of December it would be a good idea if I made a few things, but no major knitting projects. Most everything else was purchased online and everyone else is getting photos of Seamus.

Who doesn't want that? right?

Everything is mostly done, except for a few time consuming loose ends.

So, as is my usual M.O., instead of staying home and getting everything done this weekend, we decided to have some family holiday fun in Boston and ride the Edaville Railroad and visit the holiday village with my aunt, uncle and cousins.

I am so glad we went, but I now have about 30 gifts to wrap; 40 Christmas cards to write, address and mail; and I still need to frame all the pictures.

It will most likely get done and be as close to perfect as I can get at this juncture.

Honestly though, it doesn't really matter because everyone should know that they are very special and loved.

Despite the fact that they're gift is a can of creamed corn wrapped in a grocery bag and tied with a bow.

Happy Holidays everyone!

It will always be sunny and warm in my imagination...

100_7455, originally uploaded by callaghanse.

On days like this, when I can feel the draft wafting down the hallway through the office and under my cubicle...

I go to a place in my imagination where the grass is green, the grasshoppers are jumping, the sun is hot and the only thing icy cold is the lemonade.

At least I have my dreams to keep me warm...