Christmas time is here

Oh the holidays. For many years I always thought of myself as kinda a scrooge. I have been a huge critic of the over commercialization associated with Christmas. But in recent years, I have become come around to the whole Christmas thing. Partially due to Gunnar and his enjoyment of this holiday, partially becuase having kids reminds me of the things I liked about Christmas as a child, and partially because of the traditions thatGunnar and I have started give me a sense of routine and there is nothing I like better than being in my comfort zone.

Last weekend the girls and I decorated for Christmas. Although we own a Christmas tree, we do own a Christmas tree, we didn't put it up becuase: 1) it is heavy and hard for me to manage of my own, 2) Gunnar didn't have time to put it up 3) We don't really have room for it 4) Ellie would have pulled everything off the bottom of it anyways.

So instead of a tree, the girls and I set up two nativity scenes. The one I brought with me from Spain and is identical to the one my family had as a child. In Spain, traditionally people don't do Christmas trees, but everyone (stores included) set up "belens" (nativity scenes). I LOVE this particular belen as it is the traditional little mud dolls that are very common of the area that I grew up in. I let Grace help me set it up and she was SOOO excited.

The second nativity is a Playmobil set and is especially for the kids to play with during Christmas time. It is missing baby Jesus as he was a choking hazard, but the girls have had fun playing with it.

Elizabeth gets really excited and sometimes makes off with the sheep or some of the people.

But don't worry, she is always very nice to the ones she kidnaps. Including giving them sweet kisses.