sunburnt wheatgrass

As a mom I am often hit with a heavy feeling of the responsibility I have in raising my children. I’m fully aware that all kids are the way they are because of nature or nurture, and while many debate how much of one influences certain parts of our lives, I’m taking great pride at nurturing specific qualities in my daughters.

Like my love for Christmas, its season and its spirit. I’m not into the material and commercial aspects of Christmas, but there’s just something about Christmas that I love deeply. Perhaps it’s the richness of what Christmas really is and means, and how life-changing one historical event has on humanity. Perhaps its how much I enjoy the smell of winter air (even in San Diego), wearing warm sweaters and scarves (when I visit my childhood home in Bakersfield), sitting by a fireplace and roasting marshmallows (although I have roasted marshmallows over my gas stove in the summer), and listening to some of my favorite Christmas music (Nicole C. Mullen, Jim Brickman and any jazz).

I love this season so much that I promptly begin listening to my Christmas music immediately after Halloween, my least favorite holiday. To be honest though, I sneak in a few songs in October and even listen to it full blast when the trick-or-treaters come, eagerly ushering Halloween to its close and my Thanksgiving/Christmas season to its start. This Halloween Enna had absolutely no desire to dress up or go trick-or-treating and it was not something I would ever fight her on. Instead she wanted to dance…to Christmas music…full blast, “Music louder!” And how could I say no?

I’ve already passed on my favorite Christmas c.d., Nicole C. Mullen, to Enna and she insists on listening to it at least once a day while dancing like crazy.

The tract after her most favorite song (“365 Days”) is a duet between Nicole and her father, a classic favorite, “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.” It’s markedly slower and at first she didn’t appreciate the change of pace. Just recently she runs up to Yucan or I with arms reaching up and wants to slow dance. I go down on my knees and she wraps her arms around my neck and sways back and forth.

I’d love to get some Christmas R&B (or rap – more for Yucan) and am wide open to any recommendations, even if they’re anonymous because you’re a closet early Christmas lover.