my favorite thing

here's my new favorite thing...

the night before christmas...flashlight version

the pages have circles with transparent shadow pictures that you can shine a flashlight through

i picked it up at my favorite little boutique downtown

we turn off all the lights except the tree and read this classic while watching reindeer dance across our ceiling.

the other day we were at a restaurant that had bells on the door.

every time someone came or went, Peach perked up, saying "jingle bells...is Santa here?"

oh, the magic of childhood.........

an added bonus is that the flashlight has inspired us to turn off the tree lights and enjoy games of flash light hide and seek on more than one occasion.

on a random side note - the downside of this is that i am frequently reminded of the sad state of my kitchen floor.  when hubby decides to hide under the kitchen table and peach shines her spotlight under to spy him, i inevitably cringe as the vast buffet reveals itself.
everything from shredded tissue pieces to misplaced toys to a wide array of small food items and splatters.
however, despite my best efforts, i've come to terms with the fact that keeping a clean kitchen floor with two littles in the house is an elusive and impossible goal.
maybe one of my new year's resolutions will be to worry less about this.
or better yet - not to worry about things that i can't prevent....like endless crumbs falling from chubby fingers and laughing lips.  if you keep reading in 2012, you can hold me accountable for this one.

at any rate, i'm lovin' this book

and the wonder that this time of year brings.