it's beginning to look a lot like...

Holiday preparations have begun around here. I do love this time of year, despite its busyness. We all scurry around making lists (more lists than usual anyway) and feeling a bit like Santa's elves. There are smells of cookies baking and fresh cut Christmas tree. There is snipping and gluing and sewing and whispering.

And, there is the nativity given to us as a wedding gift, handmade by a very special friend. The girls very much love it. Its small figurines get played with over and over, and lovingly cared for. I'm sure it will be one of those items that they look forward to unpacking from the Christmas box each year. This nativity, along with all the big plastic glowing ones we see on church lawns, have begun a few small conversations about all the different beliefs that people hold. Our family is not Christian but we embrace this opportunity to talk about religion(s) in ways that make sense to a 5 and a 2 year old. Mostly we try to focus on the beauty of giving and receiving, being thankful for what is, and celebrating the slow return to light as we wind our way past the darkest days of winter and back towards spring. Really, spring.

How about you? Hope your workshop is merry too.