There is a line in a Christmas song that goes “Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow…” Actually, now that I think of it, it is from THE Christmas Song. I have it sung probably hundreds of times, without thinking much about it, but this year it has taken on a whole new meaning.

I love Christmas. Even with the accompanying stress, I love the lights and the presents and the tree. I love making cookies and sending cards. This is Emma’s first conscious Christmas and she seems to love it as much as I do. Sharing Christmas with her has taken most of the stress out of the holiday for me and replaced it with sheer joy. I am much more relaxed this Christmas than I have been in years and years. If something doesn’t get done, I am not worried about it. I am just focusing on having fun and watching her experience her first real Christmas.

We got our tree and decorations last weekend . As soon as it was dark and Emma could see the white lights on the bushes by the front door she turned around to look at us, her eyes, well, all aglow, and sort of half-said/half-gasped “HHAAHHHHHH”. Once we got the lights and ornaments on the tree she stood looking up at the tree and did it again. It has been a daily occurrence ever since. In fact she even does it when we are driving around and she sees other people’s lights. It kills us every time and has made Christmas even more enjoyable for me than it ever has been before.