My Christmas spirit had almost returned full force by the magic shining on their little faces when Miss Reagan cut me down in my tracks.

When I said that we couldn't go to the community center for the post parade festivities because my glasses were broken and I needed to make it home before they fell apart anymore (the baby kicked me in the face when I tried to put him on my shoulders), she huffed out, "You always say we will do these things later but you never do!"

Well we had not planned on the community center, which was another reason I said we needed to go home. I reminded her that we had missed the Christmas parade last year and planned to make it this year, and we did. It cut me to the quick and I cried all the way home. Why do children do this?

Reagan was in top form yesterday, even to the point of needless flattery. "I like your hair Mama". It was a bad hair day. "Thanks honey, but I don't particularly like it today" "Well you always look pretty to me Mommy" Yes, of course I asked her what she wanted!