How to be the best Mom...

It's a week into December and the kids are wondering when the Christmas tree is going to go up. So you unload it from the box and put it half-way up, just to whet their appetite. They ask, "When are we going to finish putting up the tree?" while you are sweeping the kitchen floor. "I don't know," you reply. " I need to mop this floor. Do you see these drops of chocolate milk, and the spots under the counter? Someone has to mop this up." Suddenly, you have volunteers to mop the floor. Calmly finish making dinner while they mop.

"When are we going to put up the tree?" they ask while you switch over the laundry. "I don't know. I have to finish this laundry." Suddenly, you have volunteers to fold the laundry. Take this moment to clean up dinner.

"When are we going to put up the tree?" they ask, as you lie on the couch, hands over your eyes. "I don't know. I'm so tired--I was up late while you went to a church party." Suddenly, they are very quiet for a blessed half hour.

So you get up and you finish putting up the tree an hour and a half before their bedtime. You call them in and they come in running, as excited as if it is Christmas morning. You pull out the ornaments, and they put them on. You ask them why they think there are lights on the tree, and they say "It's like hope." "It's like all the families in the world." "To keep you warm." and you say "That's a great idea" each time. You ask them what they think Mrs. Claus does while Santa is delivering toys and they say, "She sits in a chair and waits", "She makes hot cocoa for him to come home to", and "She makes out with the elves." Then you find a Santa hat and Paris goes upstairs and Santa comes back downstairs, and tells you that the tree looks good.

They ask why we aren't drinking egg nog like we always do when we decorate the tree and you remind them that we don't even have milk in the house since their father is working out of town over the weekend and he is the designated errand-runner, especially when it is freezing and raining/snowing out (the sky couldn't make up his mind). And the kids will all assure you that no egg nog is needed.

At last, the angel is put on top the tree, ornament density is rearranged, and the tree is proclaimed Finished. Now all the kids will hug you and tell you that you are the Best Mom Ever. And Thank You So Much for the tree.

I Love Christmas.