i think that was christmas

i've always loved the days leading up to christmas more than christmas itself. so our quick trip into st. john's to visit with my daughter and son-in-law and the children this past weekend was christmas for me. setting up the christmas village. lucy is 5 and spent alot of time at the village playing the people and animals. the lights twinkling in the toy shop. the church. i leaned down with her and saw with her eyes the magic of the season. finn (almost 2) being alarmed at dada bringing a real tree into the house. but in the end sidling up to it for a deep smell and then dancing a little quickstep around the living room in his new hat. eamon (10) on the cusp of dis-belief but still able to throw himself whole-heartedly into the preparations (it helps to have young siblings). christmas music. and hitting chapters and the avalon mall on a saturday afternoon and finding everyone (shoppers and clerks happy and calm). a lovely birthday party for jessie - turning 3 - with lots of my daughter's extended family. every morning begun with the children piling into bed with their christmas books for stories. and then the long drive home yesterday. quiet, happy reflection. to a house that still isn't decorated. presents that aren't wrapped (or made, or bought). i think we've had christmas...