[Xanth]

Almost.

omgomgomgomgomg *dances with excitement*

I was having a hard time getting into it until today, even though the warden (a lady who comes in to check on me every week day, but goes way above and beyond her call of duty) has been doing her level best to cheer me up. It's my first year without my mum, you see, and the past couple of years had already been hard to keep up with the season cheer for various reasons. My sister's pregnant (I'm going to be an aunty, I'm going to be aunty! *dance dance dance*) so she doesn't want to be here long Christmas Day (we have a distinct lack of seating or tables because my bed is in the living room and it's tough to balance a tray in your lap when you have a big bump getting in the way. Or so I'm told ), and for me, Christmas is all about the family time, so it seemed like it might be a bit depressing this year.

But I got my first present today. Actually, my grandad just popped in to leave them and take theirs, but he said there was one I really needed to open now, and why?

It's a winter-coated penguin with extendable legs! *rolls about laughing*

And to top it all off, it's been snowing, and while the adult in me worries for the people driving on hazardous roads, the little girl in me is squeeing in delight because it's going to be a WHITE CHRISTMAS!!! We haven't had one of those since I was a kid!

So, who else is excited about Christmas? Do we have any members who celebrate other things at this time of year? Has it snowed for anyone else?

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it, and warm wishes to those who don't.

[Euphenia]

Aw, Ems ... *Tries to get in a snug or three* I'm so happy that your first present is that awesome, and that you get to have a white Christmas this year. I can only hope that things just get better and better!

Congrats on getting ready for auntdom! I tell ya, it's a lot of fun. You get to play with the kids, read 'em stories, and basically get to be the "fun other mom" for a while ... and then when they're tired 'n cranky, they go back home. *Snicker* I know, I'm evil.

I'm excited about Christmas, too! My family is spending Christmas Eve together this year, and I'll be with my buddies on Christmas Day. I managed to get everyone a present, and that alone makes me all warm 'n fuzzy inside. The best part of giving presents is witnessing the face of the person opening them. I just love it when I get someone the right gift. It lights up their whole face!

... I do wish that Jon and I could be together for Christmas, but we'll be together in spirit. Right, my dragon? Really, he's always with me. *Pats her chest, over her heart* But especially at this time of year.

My special Christmas moment for this year was when I gave my parents their Christmas card early. ... My dad cried. He hardly ever does and when it does happen it's always quietly, but when I saw that trickle down his cheek, I almost cried, too. I love them both so much, and they've always been there for me. They're getting older by the year, but I still have trouble seeing that sometimes. To me they're locked in time, right up until I'm reminded of their various health problems. *Sigh* It makes our time together even more important to me. I want to make each moment count.

I too want to wish a merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates it, and to all others a happy holiday!

[Xanth]

I've been frantically crocheting this week trying to finish the blanket I started in September (it's done, yay!) and making a couple of other bits (a hat, two pairs of mitts) so I can surprise my sister with a gift for the kid. He's not due until February but for some reason I really feel like this is his first Christmas. I guess I'm kind of trying to make up for mum not being here, 'cause my sister took it pretty hard. I don't know about the babysitting, though. I offered, and she pulled a face. I've never been all that good with children, but I'm not able to babysit unsupervised. I still thought it would be nice for her to have the weight of the responsibility off her shoulders for an hour or two but I guess if she's still present it kind of defeats the purpose.

It is really sweet when you know you've done good with the presents. My family's always been hard to decipher, because even when they love something they can be really stony-faced about it. Whereas, me, I'm like Kiel. I squee a lot.

I'm sorry you can't be with Jon this Christmas. But spending it with friends sounds like it'll be a heap of fun!