Christmas Decorating

This is the second year that we'll be staying at our own house for Christmas, and the first year that Sam is starting to get excited before the event. We're decorating, which is a bit unusual for us. Normally we're happy if we get the tree up. This year we've got perilously-hung outdoor lights (thanks, Matt), some indoor lights, the very full -- and extremely likely-to-be-destroyed-by-a-toddler -- tree, our little Christmas village, and a partridge in a pear tree. It's nice; it's feels very festive, even without snow on the ground.

Note that I'm not asking for snow. I'm perfectly fine with a winter where the low is -3C. A light dusting on the 23rd that lasts until the 27th would be just great.

We're trying to figure out what baking is going to get done this season. Somehow, I think it'll be pretty light. I don't figure we'll be missing anything, though, as the two mothers will be making their way up this holiday, and holiday treats are apparently some sort of female genetic imperative, and one that I particularly approve of.

I don't think we'll be making peanut butter balls this year -- sorry, dad -- as we're still not sure what Sam's allergy status is. He threw up the first (and only) time he had peanut butter, but it wasn't a worse reaction, so we're hopeful that when we try again in a year or two he'll be ok with it. Oh yeah, and they take forever to make (read: most of a day, which, when you have two littl'uns, is approximately forever).

The Santa hat and elf shoes have been dug out of the Christmas box, and both Sam and I have already worn both. I might dress him in them and take him out and about, just to see women's faces.