The Good Life

[judecorp]

For three days a week, I life out my greatest fantasies. And then, for the other four... not so much. But especially around this time of year, and especially /this/ year, some parts of my life are exactly the way they're supposed to be, because I'm finally some little person's mama. I'm quite sure I dreamed my whole life about these moments.

Oh sure, I've been a mama for 2.5 years now, but this year, THIS holiday season, I'm the mama of a kid who "gets it." She is holiday crazy and it is /perfect/. Holiday life with a toddler is the most amazing thing in the entire universe.

On Friday evening, my child got a visit from her grandparents on Jen's side, and as usual, she charmed the pants off of them and they filled her to the brim with Disney merchandise. Which, by the way, she is in love with. On Saturday, we took her to the mall to get her holiday portraits done, and she was so awesome about it, and so charming and adorable, that they were super and we ended up ordering the overly pricey photo cards from them (instead of making our own) because the pictures were just THAT cute. While at the mall, the grandparents proceeded to buy her more licensed merchandise.

But oh! She has the holiday spirit for sure. We have written a letter to Santa. We have discussed what she wants Santa to bring her. (A "crown and shoes.") We have sat on Mall Santa's lap and she delighted him with her excitement and her wishes. My SIL has provided us with an "Elf on the Shelf" which has been named and loved and is looked for every morning. We have purchased a plate specifically to leave Santa some cookies and milk. Every drive through town in the evening is brought with a chorus of, "Mama! Pretty lights! More pretty lights!" It is a good time.

This morning I took my little child to the post office to put her letter to Santa in the special Santa mailbox. (Our town is so cheeseball and I love every second.) And in that moment, every piece of my heart was whole. This is exactly what I was meant to do, and I could do it 10 times more.

If only I didn't have that stupid job.

Comments

[theshapeshifter.livejournal.com]

Word to everything you just wrote. 'Baby's first Christmas' is way overrated IMHO, but 'little kid's third Christmas' is proving to be made entirely of awesome so far.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Agreed!

[stapynam.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree more. Holiday season with a toddler is pure awesome. I practically cried the other evening as we listened to Christmas music and Jeb "helped" make the stuffing. Making the stuffing with my mom (it's her mom's recipe) year after year is one of my favorite holiday memories. Whenever I think about all the things we're going to do this month, I get all choked up. Totally. Awesome.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, me too. I am all about the choke these days.

[rexlezard.livejournal.com]

Awww. Let me know if you guys want to come "Look" at the light display in the park around the corner from me...it's best after dark, and there's a back way to sneak in on foot, but probably not doable in the dark with a toddler on one's back, but I could meet you over there with the doggies! We love the light display, especially the one where the light-up carrollers sing somewhat tinny songs...Mo Mo wants to eat them, they freak him out.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we will have to check it out! I love lights!

[cutestlittlebabymakers.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

Oh! that reminds me that we also have an "Elf on the Shelf" that we haven't placed yet! D'oh!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I think they're fun! My SIL sent it to us.

[sassywoman.livejournal.com]

This is the first year Emma is really "getting" Christmas too and I LOVE IT!!!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

It is so awesome!!

[tea-soaked.livejournal.com]

We are having holiday fun over here too - Carys is loving the lights and so we've put up lights around our house. And the Christmas tree is known as the "Kimpis Tree." This year will be here first year seeing the mall Santa. Aren't toddlers fun.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

We did Mall Santa every year, but last year she totally freaked out and wouldn't go near him. Very dramatic. This year she had mad love for the Santa. I love it.

[goddamnelf.livejournal.com]

I dont have any toddler stories, but I am glad that things are going well for you and the family.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

How are you?

[nikki-herself.livejournal.com]

Isn't it great?!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

LOVE IT!!