My hands have remained constantly busy this month. The focus has been all holiday all the time. The Christmas radio station is fixed on the car radio, the “light rides” are in progress (the cowboy likes to prolong bedtime by going to see the lights), the holiday baking is underway, and the general list checking is in progress.

All of this concentrated effort towards the Holidays and gifting have really helped to improve my outlook. I lost my love for Christmas when my dad died. That first year was spent trying to “get through it”. The second year was better… but still the dread of a Christmas without dad waiting for me was horrible. The third year was better still.

This fourth year, the difference is the cowboy. He is truly mystified by Christmas. He loves the lights. He loves the movies. He loves the feeling. I thank god that he brought the feeling of Christmas back into my life.

One night, as we were laying down and talking about his day (nightly ritual), he leaned over an whispered to me “Mama, I know what I want Santa to bring me for Christmas”. I asked him what…

He said” A big bell. I want to be able to hear Santa.” ( a la the Polar Express)… the sheer magic that a 4 year old sees in lights, hears in music, and tastes in candy is enough to cure this broken heart.

So… because I didn’t have any thing to do….

I embroidered (with help from the Jodster) 20 elf hats for the cowboy and his classmates. Everyone got a hat with THEIR NAME on it.

(our most recent “Say Cheese” face!)

They were a huge hit with the 4 and 5 year old set. They even got to go to the Holiday assembly with them….

Speaking of the assembly… you have to love a school where 4 of the male teachers get up and do this:

Alvin and the Chipmunks! The cowboy’s school is so amazing… the level of dedication on the part of the administration and the staff is so wonderful.

I have 2 more handmade gifts to sew… and some knitting left! Then a review of all of the items is in the line up for next week…