its almost time

its almost time for christmas - my absolute favorite holiday in the whole wide world. i love everthing about it, the snow, homeade bread, candy, presents, jesus, angels, good cheer, family, friends, parties, santa claus... all of it. what i don't like is how fast it goes by. once we hit "black friday", things really start moving along. before you know it poof - its all over and you are stuck taking down the lights and the tree, shoving them into bins and carting them to the basement.

so, this year i am going to make sure i enjoy the whole month of december, take time to do things with the kids and really get into the meaning and the fun things surrounding christmas.
some goals -

-the crown center crayolaland
-make homeade bread and actually let the kids help this time, like really let eight little hands get in and knead the dough and mess flour all over the floor without cursing or complaining about it.
-make sugar cookies and gingerbread men from scratch, again letting them decorate and mess.
-drive the family around looking at lights and listening to christmas music
-take each child out and let them pick out presents for their siblings, not directing or influencing their decisions in any way
-watch "its a wonderful life" i have never seen it.
-go to see the christmas production my friend jen's husband composes, creates and directs at woods chapel church
-read the christmas story to the children, in the living room in front the tree and the fireplace

so, does anyone have other ideas i must do? i know these are lofty aspirations and there will be always be stress, but i plan on absorbing the moments more and stressing less. good advice for anyone.