Xmas excitement!

At my son's first Christmas he was just short of 5 months old, then the next year he was 17 months old. Both of these Christmases passed without him knowing too much about them. At 2.5 he got into the idea - a bit. Then last year, at 3.5, well, let's just say he was totally up with the whole Santa concept.

This year?

Oh wow, he's EXCITED! I am beginning to think that 4.5 is the optimal age for kiddie enjoyment of Christmas. Every morning he bounds out of bed and looks at our Christmas tree before asking me: "how many more days until it's Christmas?" and "when can I open my presents?" Again we have topped the tree with a paper star he made when he was 3.



We have done the letter to Santa thing and, boy, was he impressed that Santa wrote back!!!!! I am so looking forward to seeing his little face when he gets to open his presents this year. Given that funds are a bit tight this year we haven't spent all that much and instead I've got him quite a few small things - which is probably more exciting to a kid anyway ... it's all about the unwrapping, isn't it?

E had his preschool Christmas party last week and it was a great success - it was held at the German club round the corner from our house so the kids could run like crazy on the croquet greens while we adults chatted over a fine German beer or two. Perfect.




I've also sent out our homemade Christmas cards - which feature the two kids (TWO! Wow!). Here are some of the pics I used...









Let me tell you, there were a LOT of shots snapped to get these! (Ah, the beauty of digital ... delete, delete.) Oh, and how many more years do you reckon I've got before I have to stop dressing my boy up in reindeer ears and the like ("Awhhh, Mum")?

Anyhow, it is definitely beginning to feel a lot like Christmas around here - and how nice is that?