It's the Hap-Happiest Time of the Year...

...says who? Who wrote that song anyway? Did they not have gifts to buy, wrap, and ship?cookies to bake? cards to mail? a house to decorate? Yikes. The big day is a little over two weeks away and there's still so much to do! But we did make progress today.

My shopping is nearly done. And for the stuff that isn't done, I at least know what I have to buy, so that makes it easier. Today, K went to start his shopping with little Miss Sophie while EJ and I went to church for pageant practice. This year, she is Gabriel, the lead angel! On our way, we did some shopping for the church's giving tree. You pick gift tags from a tree that tell you what to buy for a child. This year, we had to get a watch for a 12 year old girl, a pull toy for an 18 month old, a Barbie and some clothes for a 6 year old, and a baseball and bat for a 12 year old. While EJ was at rehearsal, I wrapped the gifts and put them under the tree at church. Cross that one off my list!!!

Then, after lunch, K and EJ went outside to put some lights on the shrubs and the lampposts. EJ wanted to use the "retro" lights this year - think big bulbs in orange and red, green, blue, and white. Then, we whipped up some cookies. Peanut blossoms. You know, the ones with the Hershey kisses in the middle.

And how did Miss Sophie help with all the tasks today? She opted not to take a nap. After being up since 5:30 AM. Yes, 15 hours with nothing more than a catnap in the car on the way home from shopping. Here's hoping she sleeps until at least 7 tomorrow.

Tomorrow, there will be more baking, printing mailing labels for the cards, and decorating. The tree is up, the outside decorations are done, but we still need to finish the inside and set up our little Christmas village. Oh yeah, the town Santa parade is tomorrow afternoon, so we hope to make it...it will depend on how cold it is and Sophie's naptime before she and I decide if we'll go.

And then tomorrow evening, we'll see whether the Pats can extend their perfect season for another week. After the last two weeks, I'm thinking they're a bit vulnerable right now and if anyone is going to beat them, it will be the Steelers. The best offense vs. the best defense. Should be a good game. I'm sick of all the media hype about a perfect season already. There's still a month to go, and it seems like everyone's boasting way too much.