My "favorite" child...

I know no one likes to discuss it but most parents, if they were honest, have a "favorite" child. I don't mean they hate the others and love this one alone; just that in one way or another the relationship seems to work more easily. Sometimes, when DH and I discuss our children and the pluses and minuses of each personality, we say "oh, we would happily take three more just like him!" That kind of favorite.

I think, when it comes down to it, he is like me in enough ways that I "get" him without too much effort. He is my birthday twin (month, at least, which we share with the King of the Universe so, there's that...), he is loyal, sentimental and funny. He has a willful streak but, like all good Italians (and with his name, he at least sounds like he is) his anger burns brightly but quickly extinguishes. I just wish he would eat a little more. He is one skinny dude.

Happy 6th birthday to my sweet middle child who I would never, ever guess, is #3 of five. As his shirt says, "I'm just that good" ;0) May your year be full of fun, family, and sweet surprises and may Our Lady keep you wrapped tightly in Her mantle.

 the cake...you know we December babies enjoy everything Christmas

 I knew as soon as I saw the eye patches that he would love them. He may be a Pirates fan after all. (especially since he also got a jersey for a gift!)

 Welling up a bit listening to his godmother's voice read him a story. I was more than welling. What a special moment. 

Now I really should start cleaning this place. Christmas visitors, round 2, begins tomorrow afternoon. Yikes. At least I get more mushroom soup out of the deal. 

Wishing you a quiet, holy, silent Christmas Eve and a Christmas Day filled with joy. I picked up this little gem the other day and I think it will appear with the stockings on Christmas Day, just as a quiet reminder. We are blessed!

And finally...

Our tree arrived on December 5th (yes, I mail-order our tree...I can find more amusing things than dragging five semi-willing kids through the snow/mud just for the "family tradition" - there is mushroom soup for that! LOL). We put the lights on December 12th (the vigil of St. Lucy, since we had a house full of running relatives on the actual day). Then, it just sat. It was beautiful with just the lights and smelled divine. I would have left it as-is but the kids can get so pesty.

We finally got around to the actual decorating on Saturday the 20th. We are not and never will be the "decorate everything on the 24th" people, sorry. I get the idea but with a birthday on the 22nd (more on that later) and my mother-in-law arriving...it's just not going to happen.

I digress. We had our fun afternoon of decorating and listening to carols, playing with the mangers and even completing our manger puppets (a kind gift from far away) to prepare for a play about the "Real Story of Christmas" (spoiler...there is no Santa), open for local release on December 24th.

If I don't make it back before Thursday, may you all have a safe and blessed Christmas!

We are blessed!