O Christmas Tree!

There's nothing like a 19-month old to help you see Christmas in a different way. Everytime we pass a Christmas Tree, an inflatable Santa Claus, a bulbous Snowman or lighted reindeer, OBB lets out a big "Whoooaaaaa!".

While he wants nothing to do with talking to, sitting near or getting his picture taken with Santa Claus, he is intrigued by the man in a red suit with white fur.

This weekend, after my WH dutifully finished yet another painting project (I think that's four rooms so far this year), we put up the Christmas tree. OBB was very excited to see it when he came downstairs and decided to jump right in and help decorate with the gold beaded garland (see below).









































Fortunately, OBB is still young enough that I can go Christmas shopping for him, with him - at least to a point. I made the mistake of letting him hold a certain remote control Caterpillar bulldozer on the way out of Wal-Mart this week. When I explained to him that I needed to put the bulldozer in the back of the car (after he decided to try and rip the box apart to get the bulldozer out) I was met with teary wailing that lasted the entire drive down to a different shopping center and well into the next store. Hopefully, he will be equally as excited when he opens the bulldozer on Christmas morning.

From talking to my friends, I sense that I should be relishing the "plastic years", a time when a brief trip to Wal-Mart for several plastic items satiates any "need" my child might have for Christmas. I'm definitely not yet ready for requests for Wiis and I-Pods and other high-dollar electronics.

I guess when OBB is older, he will also be more concerned about getting me a gift for Christmas. For now, the only present I need from OBB is the spontaneous "whoooaaa!"s I get when we're driving around town to help remind me that I shouldn't be concerned about getting or giving presents - it's not about who gets what...it's about the greatest gift we were all given in Christ's birth.