Toads-in-the-Hole

Similarily, sometimes other people receive surprises in the mail that you wish were your own.

And then, sometimes you're secretly glad that someone else received that gift, and that you don't have to pretend you like it for fear of offending the giver's goodwill.

In December (more so than other months of the year) we seem to light more things on fire - like advent candles and yule logs - so, we have a good opportunity to review fire safety tips and practice stopping, dropping, and rolling.

Also in December (our ninth month), we're making leaps and bounds in the hand-eye coordination department, and so are able to finally show off our skills at Pat-a-Cake.

If you find yourself with a Christmas cold we are truly sorry for your friends and family, but at least you really have the perfect excuse to lie around and let others worry about keeping the bathroom clean, stirring up the eggnog, and carving the roast beast.

If the weather outside is frightful, one of the best places to be is inside someone else's coat.

And of course, the true meaning of Christmas, beyond all the gift-giving and receiving, beyond all the hand-clapping games and snow-dusted adventures, is the time we have together, simply enjoying the company of our loved ones.