Call me Scrooge...

So Halloween was a big disappointment. No pumpkin patches, barely any trick-or-treating or other age appropriate activities to partake in. It was a given that Thanksgiving was going to be less than memorable, so I was really looking forward to Christmas. That's what I get for being optimistic.

We all loaded up in the car today to seek out the perfect tree. The kids were giddy with excitement and Ciaran was sporting his festive Santa hat. I had visions of decorating our perfect tree with Christmas music playing softly in the background and the smell of cookies baking in the oven dancing in my head.

First stop: the local DIY store (think a scaled-down version of Home Depot). Hmmm...lot's of very expensive Charlie Brown-type trees. Not to fear! There has to be a store with a better selection within a 20 mile radius, right?

Lot's of driving, whining and bickering ensue as we continue our stalwart search. Well, it's now 5:00 pm and there's no tree, no Christmas carols and no cookies. As a consolation prize I am eating Cadbury's chocolate (one of the few perks of living in England; Cadbury Land is less than an hour from here!) and contemplating canceling Christmas. OK, I know Christmas isn't about the tree and I should be relieved to be free of all the commercialized craziness that erupts the second the last serving of Thanksgiving turkey is dished out. Bah Humbug! I want my stinking tree!

So on a slightly more positive note, Emma's class put on a marvelous Christmas program the other day. They could actually say "Jesus" and have little four-year-old Mary and Joseph trip up the aisle to the stage to stare shyly at the audience while the array of angels look on with crooked halos and flushed cheeks! It was so nice to be able to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas without fear of recrimination. And before you ask...yes they attend public school.

I guess it all boils down to the fact that I am so very homesick right now. Even this familiar season seems strange and removed to me. Maybe once we do find our slightly less than perfect tree, which my kids will be just as excited to decorate as any other tree, I'll start feeling more of the Christmas spirit. Until then, pass me the Cadburys please!