September 3

Despite my fears that our home will one day resemble that of Clark W. Griswold, Adam insists that we add a new ginormous light-up figure to our Christmas display each year. And despite the fact that it's the first week of September and still technically summertime, tonight was the night that said decoration joined our collection.

The kiddos were first to see it --a giant, light-up Mickey and Minnie Mouse climbing a chimney-- sitting there on the shelf at Costco. And Brady immediately --as in within seconds-- fell in love and began pleading with us to buy it. He was completely taken with it, and first tried to lift the box himself before alternately begging Adam and me to put it in the cart...Please mommy, can we buy it? Daddy, please daddy, can we buy it? Please?

It was kind of ridiculous. But at the same time, it was also completely precious. Is it a silly lawn decoration? Absolutely. But that wonderfully childish enthusiasm was such a God-send. And seeing such innocent exuberance on display is well-worth the 'cost' of having a pair of Disney characters camped out on my front lawn for a few weeks in December.