Now that we're getting closer to the "Big Day," I seem to be losing some of my momentum. A month ago, I was out there, enthusiastically elbowing my way through the crowds and picking out a few things for my family. A few weeks ago, I was doing my baking--the mince tarts, the fruit cakes, the shortbreads,--but, somehow, between then and now, I've lost the oomph that's needed to carry me through to New Year's.

I think it's really important when you start getting into the Christmas Spirit. I use to pop on the music, haul out my already decorated teeny-tiny tree and start my baking--usually mince tarts because the smell of the spices really gets you going. This year, all it got me was the thought that maybe I started too early because the mince tarts are gone and so are the shortbreads. And, we're already nibbling the fruit cakes. The thought of what's left to do on the pre-Christmas list is too depressing to think about. So, to cure myself of this blue funk, I did the next best thing to winning the lottery--I borrowed my best friends 5 years old twins.

First, we checked out "Christmas Village," a miniature village set up behind a huge downtown corner window. It showed Santa's Workshop with little elves scurrying hither and thither, trying to complete the toy orders to fill Santa's sleigh. There was a miniature train winding around and through the Village--it's engine pulling and puffing up the steep hill and finally to the Station. The more the girls and I stared,  more details became apparent--the horse-drawn buggy with the coachman nodding to everyone he passed; the elderly lady who had dropped her bag of oranges and the little boys who helped to pick them up; the children skating on the pond; the little dog running with a red ball in his mouth; the baker-man passing out cookies from his tray; tiny houses with lights winking and blinking inside; sporadic puffs of smoke coming from a few chimneys and much, much more. The twins were fascinated and so was I. 

Our next stop was "Tiny Chapters," a children's bookstore where we were just in time for the Christmas Story Hour. After that, cocoa and cookies at "Fundy's," then the Children's Choir and toy shop at Market Square. The joyous sounds of children singing was the perfect ending to a fun day. The kids and I had a great time; I got re-inspired and my best friend enjoyed an unexpected "free" afternoon sans twins.  Now, I've got my groove back and I'm good 'til after New Year's. . .