I know him! I know him!!!! SANTA!!!!!!!!

I love the movie Elf. By far my favorite holiday movie. And I think that scene is my absolute favorite part. That and when the taxi bumps him. Cracks me up every time.

Anyways, Makenzie got to visit Santa for the first time today. This morning we attended a holiday party with the Mom’s Club. I slept in again, then got little Miss M decked out in her holiday gear. How adorable is she?!!!

I can’t get over it, either. I also can’t get over how fantastic Teri’s Pumpkin Gingerbread tastes!!! It was a huge hit with everyone and with good reason.

I made sure to munch on some, along with fruit, a couple of donut holes, and an egg/ham/cheese casserole. I love breakfast food!

Once we all finished breakfast the excitement began. SANTA!!!! It’s quite humorous to watch the reactions of the kids. It’s like 50/50 of screams of joy and screams of terror. I didn’t know what to expect with Makenzie – would she cry out in fear or not want to leave his side?

Totally the latter. She LOVED Santa! She kept trying to sneak closer to him during story time or back in the line to see him again.

Then, when he passed out a present to all of the kids, she became a huge fan. I told Peter we’re in trouble because now she will expect a gift from every Santa we visit.

And little miss needs to grow a few inches before hugging Santa again. That first picture looks totally inappropriate!

I’m so thankful Peter agreed to the whole Santa thing. His family never did Santa, based on religious purposes, and I can completely understand the foundation of their decision. Christmas is not about a jolly guy in a red suit and getting lots of presents. However, the magic of Santa is so special for children. I remember the excitement of Santa and didn’t want Makenzie to miss out on it. Plus, I didn’t want her to be the kid who ruins it for the other ones.

We came to the conclusion that Santa will be a part of our Christmas traditions, but that he will also have a meaning. Santa likes to give out presents to all the children of the world because he likes to show love like Jesus and give to others. That is who Santa is in this house. He hopes for the children to show love to others too and be thankful for Jesus. We also include traditions to say “Happy Birthday Jesus” and more often talk about Jesus than Santa in this household. It’s important to me to have the meaning, but also to have the fun and magic. So, there you go. More than you likely cared to know about our stance on Santa.

• If you celebrated Santa, what is one of your best Santa memories? Or how long did you believe?
• What’s your favorite meal of the day? Breakfast, lunch, dinner?

A day full of miracles occurred in these parts today.

I slept in again. Which I believe, coupled with my day of rest yesterday, helped me to wake up feeling 100% better! No more sickies! A Christmas miracle.

I managed to shower and get dressed in something besides yoga pants and old sweatshirts. Before 8 am. A Christmas miracle.

I also truly, honestly, 100% felt beautiful this morning and loved my pregnant belly. I appreciate my body growing a baby, but sometimes its hard seeing such changes. I fully embraced those changes and reveled in my body today. A Christmas miracle.

Perhaps that sparked my post from this afternoon? Yet another Christmas miracle – I posted 3 times today. Did you catch my ABC’s post?

This morning I had to run out to the store to get some things for baking I have to do this afternoon. It was 40 degrees. That felt warm after the last week. A Christmas miracle for 40 degrees to feel like 70.

After shopping, I enjoyed a delicious lunch. It included pomegranate Chobani. I have never been able to find that flavor. It has now trumped Pineapple as my favorite. A (delicious) Christmas miracle.

Tonight, I baked up Teri’s Pumpkin Gingerbread for a holiday brunch party tomorrow. It’s a Christmas miracle I have refrained from cutting into them right away.

No matter what, though, I will not forget the true Christmas miracle.

That little baby saved my life. Thank goodness such miracles exist.