The minds of children...

Yesterday we were at church, me and the three older kids (because I think daddy is paying TJ to be napping at church time every week so he can secretly work on his fantasy football lineup, but I digress). So...at church yesterday and we were discussing Advent, the Advent wreath etc before it starts. Then I point up at the GIANT garland streaming down from the cathedral ceiling of the church and ask the kids, "How do you think they got their decorations up?"

Now, just so you know, the children think an elf decorates our house, because, well, because I told them that. One night we decorated after they went to bed and it just so happened when Ashley woke up she shouted, "Michael, our elf decorated our whole house as a present for you Jen!" She was so excited, we just went with it. Our elf comes every year at Christmas and every night he goes back to the North Pole to report to Santa about the kids behavior. He shows back up overnight, but in a new location. Its a wonderful tradition in our house now.

So...back to church. I asked about how the garland was hung from the cathedral ceilings. The look up puzzled. Adam Jr. says, "I think a giant ladder. They used a giant ladder and Michael the elf helped them?" I told him I didn't know. Ashley responded, "The climbed up there (pointing to the choir loft) and did it from there." I looked quizzically, and shook my head indicating I doubted that was the solution. Then Laney pipes in, "A giant gorilla did it." I looked at her, she was smiling broadly from ear to ear, and I just laughed. Maybe that is it, maybe it was a giant gorilla. And this left me to wonder, when did I stop looking at the world in that way? Thank God for their imaginations, and may they stick with them well into adulthood!

The little things...

Last night my husband was going through the roll top desk, aka, junk storage that we can cover when company comes. He holds up an envelope and says, "Where did we get these address labels?" I reply, "The insurance company sent them." He replies, "That was really nice of them. Those will go nicely on our Christmas cards." And he meant it. I have gotten those for YEARS from the insurance company, and never thought anything of it. It is nice. Step back, deep breath, appreciate the little things holiday!