Is it Christmas yet?

The Missus and I have been really busy. I have been swamped at work, and the Missus is finishing up her first semester of grad school. Some days, we hardly know what month it is.

The twins, however, know exactly what month it is. It's December--Christmas month. Last year, they really didn't know what Christmas was. This year they know that Santa is going to come and give them presents. leading to some interesting conversations:

"Daddy, is tomorrow Christmas?"
"No, Tessa, like I tell you every night, tomorrow is not Christmas. Now please, please go to sleep!"
"But Daddy, but Daddy, how will I know when Christmas is coming?"
"Don't worry, sweetheart, I'll warn you."
"Okay, Daddy. Goodnight!"

"Daddy, how many days 'til Christmas?"
"Twenty more days, Adam."
"No, Daddy, I think it's five days."
"Five days?"
"Yes, Daddy. Five days!"
"Okay, buddy. Five it is."

The twins and I saw a really nice version of The Nutcracker at Glen Echo Park in Maryland. It was sponsored by people at my work, and turned out really well, even though the Missus, who was working, missed it. The twins enjoyed it and were only a little scared. The highlight for them was probably the cookies that my group put out. And Tessa, of course, had to try out the bathroom there.