Can you smell it?

It's coming! The holiday season is getting closer and closer. Ok, so if you include Thanksgiving it's already here. This is the first pile of wrapped presents, waiting to go under the Christmas tree. Crazy isn't it? But there's so much to do and so much to prepare for, it seems almost crazy not to get a head start!

So, holiday plans. I really wanted to stay home for Thanksgiving with Kim and Abby. However, Audrey, Kim's long time childhood neighbor invited us for dinner. In the course of 6 months, she lost her husband, her cat and her dog. So, as much as I really want to have Thanksgiving at home, I just can't say no. I will be bringing stuffing though :-P So, we'll be heading over to Waldoboro for supper. I'm planning on making a HUGE breakfast. I just can't decide between dim sum or a traditional, hearty breakfast. I need to plan a menu, as Thanksgiving is in about 9 days. Eep!

Christmas, of course, involves more plans. My mom is coming up to spend it with us. Which, despite it all, should be a lot of fun. I've decided Santa will being one or two really nice gifts this year. (and all following years) This year, I think it will be a dress up chest and a tea set. Granted, Abby will get more than just that, but I want to work on the quality of the gifts, not the quantity. Kim's going to buy her a toy piano too. My goal this year is to sew stockings for me, Kim, Abby, my mom and Kim's parents. And to fill them. There's a few traditions here and there I'd like to start too. I haven't decided what I'm going to do on the Orthodox celebration of Christmas. If anything. It will probably be something small. Also, I do plan on putting Abby's shoes outside for St. Nicholas Day. And lighting candles for the Advent.

We're going to celebrate Hanukkah also this year. I need to find a Menorah. Last year, we just lit tea lights but I'd like to do something special this year. Again, nothing special. Just a nice dinner, time with family and maybe a game of dreidel.

December 31 is Kim's birthday. I have a nice present planned, but no real plans. I have to ask him what he'd like to do. He's turning 30, so I think he wants it to be low key :-)

I think the only thing I haven't planned is Yule. Hmmm....