It's the most wonderful time of the year.

As Andy Williams has sung a billion or more times: "It's the most wonderful time of the year....."

Happy Christmas! It's a beautiful morning in the northeast and I would like to send a holiday shout-out to family, friends, and BP mom readers. The day is here and I must say that it came and is almost over. I am trying to enjoy every minute and still in my Christmas morning robe and slippers.

We went to Mass last night in the chapel of the retirement home for Roman Catholic nuns. During the first part of the evening, the Sisters sang and read from Scripture. The second half was the Christmas Mass. As the congregation began to sit to listen to the sermon, the priest said: "Merry Christmas, there is no sermon." I looked at Buddy and the big kid pumped his fist in a gesture of thanksgiving and awe...it was a Christmas miracle...

As we walked to the car, I mentioned that his now favorite priest was ill and on kidney dialysis. Almost on beat....he said: "he can have one of mine...." Was he kidding? No? Yes? Hmmmm.....another Christmas miracle...

After a quick trip to Grandmom's for a toast and holiday cannoli (the first of a few), we worked our way home and to bed before midnight....another holiday miracle....

Opening the gifts has been a bit odd as the kids grew. In the old days, I would have to wait it out for them to finally fall asleep. Sometimes, Tink would come into my room in the middle of the night and land up in my bed because she was so excited. Then Buddy would hear her because he never fell asleep and would want to run downstairs and start opening gifts. My rule was not until dawn...which came very very early. I would then end up in his bed trying to keep him in it and hopefully watch him fall asleep. Everyone would finally sleep for a few hours except me because I was in the fetal position in a toddler bed with my head resting on a Beanie baby monkey named Bongo. The first glimmer of dawn came and boom! Chaos! It was truly a memorable and wonderful day for all of us.

Now we celebrate Christmas at Uncle G's and are preparing for the ping pong tournament. Dad and Buddy want to sneak into Dr G's house while he is in the operating room this morning. Yesterday, Buddy went over and practiced. His great motivation is the $20 dollar prize money and the trophy. The trophy itself is about 6 inches tall and not very impressive. Really, the tournament is about bragging rights for a year. Lil A, Tink, and Buddy made sponsorship signage for the living room as well as the bracket of tournament play. Lil A also created a sign that had words of encouragement. I think that she is the most excited. She actually took $20 out of her wallet, and placed it in the cup of the trophy. That's where the prize money came from....I did not want a 9 year old to place so much of her own money as the prize but she insisted. She thinks that she is going to win with her patented "spin serve". However, Buddy is more than motivated because he wants the money to go to Mexican restaurant Chipotle with the boys.

Now here is the dilemma...Lil A put her money into the cup for the winner. She thinks that she is going to win...the rest of us are afraid that if we win, she will get upset and her day will be ruined. What would you do? Would you throw the game so that the kid could win OR do you 'school' her and teach her a lesson about overconfidence and competition? My vote is the former...come on...she's a little kid....no need for us to show that we are bigger and stronger....let's show her that we are good and decent people...let the kid win....She can have her money back and the trophy....after all, she is one of the sponsors, it's her house and table....come on gang....lose one for the Lil 'gipper'....

And so, it is time to take the turkey and ham out of the oven and wrap the few remaining presents. Christmas family time is set to begin at 3 pm, which really means 3:30-4p....they are always late.....which is fine, because I expect it and am grateful for the extra moments to prepare.....however, once the day is done...I mean really done....gifts opened, wrappings cleared and bagged, toys lost or broken, dinner served and not eaten because there are too many cookies, dessert (a cannoli or two...come on! It's Christmas!), kids and parents falling asleep in front of the fireplace, and the lights on the tree twinkle, it will be my time.....

My time begins once the party is over.....As everyone snuggles at the end of a fast paced holiday season, I take the last hour of the day, pour myself a drink, and sit in front of the manger to reflect on the real meaning of the season. It's not the chaos, gifts, and lights...it's family, friends, giving of yourself, and the time that you spend helping others. This is my time to ponder and be grateful for the multitude of blessings. I am blessed beyond belief with family and friends and will never forget to thank the sleeping Baby in the manger.....the greatest Christmas miracle of all......

Peace to you all......