It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas?

Perhaps it's beginning to look a little bit like Christmas. Rob's mom sent the kids this adorable Little People nativity set from Fisher Price, and I've had multiple discussions with the boys about how we really shouldn't be playing with the nativity people and pirates together. About how having Spiderman and Captain Hook capture Mary & Baby Jesus and force them aboard the pirate ship really isn't in the true spirit of Christmas. I've read them the Christmas Story from their picture book Bible several times, but somehow the temptation of having the the First Family walk the plank overwhelms the desire to simply set the nativity up according to the picture on the box and then play nicely with it.

Anyway, Christmas preparations are underway around here, and I'm really excited. Since I had to spend the bulk of the last Christmas season laying on my left side because of pregnancy complications, I think I feel like I need to make up for all the things I wanted to do last year but didn't get to. I have at least a half-dozen gift projects started or in the works and I'm so anxious to get decorations out that I may start on that the day after Thanksgiving (I've seen several houses in the neighborhood with Christmas lights already up, so I'm taking some comfort in not being the only one around here ready to go). And if I can get the local pirates to quit raiding the manger looking for booty, then we'll really be ready for Christmas.