The Christmas Crush

I have a love/intense dislike relationship with Christmas.  I love the spiritual part of Christmas, and I actually love to give gifts.  But the hustle and bustle, the same Christmas songs played over and over ad nauseum, and the T.V. commercials designed to stir up our greediest inclinations all combine to make this season exhausting and stressful.  Today my husband was supposed to take the girls aways for the day to a huge beautiful mall an hour north so I could clean, finish shopping and wrap presents but Caroline doesn't want to go.    I am disappointed because I really wanted the whole house to myself, but honestly I understand why she would rather lounge than spend hours in crowded surroundings with noise and lights and people pushing.  Probably not the best environment for her.  So she will nap and watch T.V. and I will try to pretend I am alone.   Three more days.