he's in town...

These days the excitement in our home is palpable. Santa came to town on Saturday in the parade and it made Christmas seem closer than ever for my children.

My 7 year old took his letter for Santa to the parade to ensure Santa knew his top two wishes this season. My almost 9 year old, wrote her letter after the parade to let Santa know she liked his float and was looking forward to his visit. My 10 year hold however, has not written a letter at all this year. It is my hope that in her heart she still believes in the magic of the spirit of Christmas. She's not the kind of girl who will come right out and ask me if there is a real Santa but I know there are many kids at school who do not believe, and who tell all the other kids it's their parents who bring the gifts.

I still remember when I realized there wasn't any Santa and it was a sad and disappointing moment. I was a "snooper" so I knew the gifts marked with Santa tags had been in Mom and Dad's closet only the week before Christmas morning. I am determined to hide the gifts well this year, just in case my children have the same "need to know" I did.

I am going to do my best to keep the spirit alive in our home because in my heart I still believe there is a magical spirit of love, hope and joy who visits our home during the holidays. I listen for him at night, I listen for the hooves on the roof, I still feel like he came and sprinkled something wonderful over the tree on Christmas eve.

too many sleepless nights

The bags under my eyes are so big right now that I could pack them to go on vacation! Do you ever feel so tired you could crawl into bed at anytime of day to drift off into endless hours of sleep. I felt like that today, a walking zombie trying to stay awake as I volunteered, worked, ran errands and ate dinner.

Tonight I will find sleep, after a hot bath, pot of chamomile and mint teat. My problem starts around 8:30 or 9:00 pm when the kids are sleeping and my mind starts thinking of lists and lists. To Do list, Christmas lists, volunteer lists, grocery list and work list. Heaven forbid I also start to surf the web because once I feel the ocean breeze on my face and taste the salt water, I'm awake for several more hours.

I wonder how many others like myself, stay awake long after their body was begging them to rest, sleep. I can feel it now as my body becomes one with this wooden chair I'm perched on. It's as though when I stand up the chair will come attached to my butt. My legs are jumpy from tiredness and my fingers are not able to type as fast as my mind churns out thoughts to blog. Will I give in and go to bed early...I'm certainly going to put it first on my to do list tonight!

If any of you have great tips to quiet the mind for a good sleep, I'd love to hear them. It's been three nights already, not sure I can stand four.