Were you on the nice or naughty list?

December started the whirlwind of preparations for Christmas for us, which was fun and overwhelming all at the same time.

Early in December we celebrated  St Nick's day because thats what any good Wisconsinite does. Or so Drew tells me. As a kid I didn't celebrate St Nick's day (December 6th), but he did, so we started the tradition with Collin and Owen. St Nick's day is a "truth be told" get your act together warning about Christmas- if you're having a rough go of it, Santa gives you about 3 weeks to turn it around. On St Nick's day he leaves you something not so very nice- a lump of coal, sardines, you know- the yuck stuff. But if you've been doing well and are on a path toward success on Christmas morning, Santa leaves a little preview gift. In either case, Santa puts these fun things in your shoes, so you wake up to something in your shoe awaiting you. This year Santa left the boys Christmas tree ornaments and Collin was super excited to open them. His featured Snoopy, who lately he's had an infatuation with, and Owen's was a little Fisher Price firetruck.

Once both boys were in the clear, we decided to go right to the soure and visit Santa. In Minneapolis Macy's hosts a 7th floor wonderland where every year they create a whole world based on a theme that kids can tour ending with Santa claus in the flesh. This year it was the day in the life of an elf, and as usually, it amazed all of us (myself included).

At the end Collin got in line to see Santa and worked it like a Pro. He climed right into his lap and when Santa asked what he wanted for Christmas he said "a present", which was easy enough for Santa to agree to.

After visiting Santa we wandered out to the Nicolette Mall to see the Holidazzle parade. I didn't take any photos becuase my fingers were frozen, but Collin loved the electric lights and seeing Santa with his Reindeer at the end.

Every year I complain about living in the cities during winter. Its bitter cold, the snot in my nose freezes the minute I step outside, our heating bill is outrageous and there are more cold and flu bugs than I can shake a stick at. But, the cities have something magical during the holidays. The midwester values nestled in the hearts and minds of the people here channel happiness and Holiday spirit. Everyone is happier, everyone seems to believe, and everywhere you look there is something that celebrates Christmas, or Hanukkah, or whatever you want to celebrate- its all here, ready and waiting to hold up the tiniest of children who believe. I love this part of the cities, the way there is so much to share with Collin and Owen during the holiday, to teach them the value of helping others, being compassionate and caring for the world at a global level.

So here we are--ready and waiting for Christmas, but also remember why the holiday is so special to us,a and remembering how grateful we are for the many many blessings in our lives.