Today is the first official day of Winter.   Looking out my window, I am not surprised.   We got nearly a foot of snow yesterday (after the ice storm that left nearly 1 million people without electricity, us included (I wrote a post about it from the hotel we stayed at, but it dissapeared. WTF?)) - and we expect another 3-4 inches today, with a grand finish of freezing rain just to make the roads as trecherous as possible for the Monday morning commute. The week of Christmas. Because there is no better time to risk you life out on the road because you don't want to risk your job by staying home.

Well, that sounds quite Scrooge-y, doesn't it? Let's try to switch gears here.

I started online classes again three weeks ago. I officially fail, though, because I've basically done no work and will fail.  I will need to withdraw and hope that I don't have to immediately pay the balance, yipes! I am scheduled to start another class in January, so wish me luck. The courses are way condensed into 5 weeks, so if you miss anything, you're screwed. It's the only way to get this degree finished before my kids get to college. I'm working on my Bachelors in Education, btw.

Well, that wasn't very happy, either. Let's try another topic.

I am nearly done with my Christmas shopping! We didn't do a very good job of scaling back, considering this is Boopie's first Christmas that she's really aware of what's going on (she was 1 1/2 last year, but Santa was way above her, though she did love the toys). We wanted to make it very special and magical for her.  But we did pretty O.K.   I am so excited to get all the presents wrapped and under that tree Christmas Eve/Christmas really-freaking-early- Morning, and arrange them all so that the impact of how supremely AWESOME it all is knocks her on her butt. I really want her to feel some of the magic that my mother has given us every single year.

Christmas is really my mother's holiday. She loves Christmas, lives for Christmas. She goes overboard every year, but she does it because she wants to see everyone smile, and laugh, and be happy. She revels in the look omn everyon'e faces when they open the perfect gift - and I've definitely inherited that.  I love this season. I love the lights, I love the goodwill that we see everywhere (especially this year, right? I'm not the only one who has noticed that everyone seems to be doing more for charity, etc this year?), I love searching for a gift that will really and truly make the people that I love happy. Something that they can enjoy all year.

Boopie is getting some awesome gifts this year. She is too young to read this blog, so I can share with you! We tried to pick gifts that had a big impact under the tree, and I didn't pay full price for a single thing that we purchased.  First, we got a Little Tikes Endless Adventures EasyStore Jr. Play Slide -- I love this one because it folds up so small that it fits in her closet! We also got our little artist a Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel, and some no-spill paint cups (OK, so those are really for me). We also got our first family game (!!), Hungry Hungry Hippos.  I love that game.  There is also a Backyardigan's book, some little things as stocking stuffers, a Breyer's Stablemates barn and some extra horses, and the "big" gift that I am a little unsure of how popular it will be - a Fisher-Price Kid-Tough DVD Player.  With how often we are in the car - often for close to an hour - it would be nice for her to have a quiet way to spend that time.  Not to mention doctor's visits, or the occassional grocery shopping trip. I hope that this one is a hit, Mommy needs it more than Boopie does!Oh, and Daddy has purchased a remote control car for them to play with :)

Sweetpea is getting some new clothes, an Infantino Tummy Time Activity Center,  some Sassy toys,  and a new mobile for her crib. (I can't decide if it's tough when they are only 2 months old, or easy.)  I also bought a little clip-on mobile for the carseat, since she hates being in the car so much. Hopefully that will give her something to look at and keep her from crying herself to sleep every single time that we get in the car. (sigh)

Of course, both girls are also getting way too much from their Nana and Auntie and Uncle, but that's a grandmother's prerogative, right? At least, that's what she keeps telling me :) I don't mind, really... it's wonderful to see how much they love each other. From Nana, Boopie's big gift is a Loving Family Dollhouse -- with about 8-10 rooms of furniture, and two cars. I'm a little jealous myself!

What are you excited to see under the tree Christmas morning (or during gift-giving of whatever holiday you may celebrate) ?  It could be for you (I want a purse!) or for another person (I can't wait to see Boopie's face when she sees that slide....)