Christmas with a Toddler?!?!

OK, so it's not really Christmas time yet, but it is mid-November. That's close enough right? I love Thanksgiving and all, but for me it's mainly just about food and company. I have never been one to decorate for Thanksgiving. No random turkey figurines placed around this house (which by the way, I think is a very odd way to decorate for a day in which we kill, cook, and eat turkey. But I digress.)  Nothing changes around here until Black Friday. No, I don't rush out and go shopping, I decorate. While I love decorating, I don't get all Martha Stewart crazy about it. I'm a very lazy simple girl. I break out all the Christmas knick knacks that have been stored in one large tupperware box for the last 9 months (did I mention that I am also very lazy about taking the decorations down? ) I hang the stockings and prepare the mantle to display all of the Christmas cards we will receive. And...that's it. It usually takes about an hour. Quick, simple, and to the point.

This year things will be a little different. I have a ....TODDLER. Everything in his path can and will be destroyed. I can see my cute monogrammed stockings being ripped down from the fireplace, dragged out back, and used as muddy train parking. How am I even supposed to put up a Christmas tree this year? If I know my son he will use his fork and spoon to some how chop it up to use as firewood. That is of course after he pulls all the ornaments off and turns them into some sort of make shift tool he can use to pry the child safely locks off his bedroom door nob. He's a crafty little guy, never underestimate a 21 month old.

There are alot of things I am looking forward to this year though. London is old enough to actually enjoy opening presents. I can't wait to see his face when he sees all his new toys. He is so animated (I can't imagine where he gets that from.) He still won't understand the anticipation of "Santa is coming" but that's ok, there is always next year. I'm going to try to get him excited about Christmas by doing what any good Mother does, I'm going to BRIBE HIM!!

He is obsessed with trains right now so I got this super cute advent calendar for him. It's about 2 feet long and 6 inches tall. He is going to break it LOVE IT!

 I'll put a little treat in each day for him to open. Maybe an M&M or his absolute favorite...a Dum Dum pop (AKA: "Pop Pop") Hopefully he will catch on and get excited about opening the little doors each night. Hummm, now that I think about it this seems a little like "Pavlov's Dog". Oh well, it worked for Pavlov right?

P.S. I have a new giveaway up...Go check it out. You can't win if you don't enter :)