The Christmas Crazies Stike Again!

We are knee-deep into the holiday break, and we are stuck in the Christmas Crazies. Somehow this surprises me every year. Silly me expects that as Anna gets older, she will miraculously transition smoothly between being at school and being at home. Normally she does really well, segueing between the school week and the weekend and back again without any major issues. But without fail since preschool, Christmas break and summer break really trip her up. Twice a year we are treated to much drama - crying, tantrums, hissy fits, meltdowns, and hyper-sensitivity to small stuff. I took her to the dentist the other day and the noises the machines were making really bothered her. She covered her ears and cowered in a way I have not seen in a long time. She's also been chewing on her fingers nearly non-stop - a clear sign she's seeking sensory input. Sure, all these things drive me crazy, but it is hard to be overly frustrated with her when it's clear that her response to these big transitions are beyond her ability to cope. We've already come so far. It might take years, but she'll one day be able to manage transitions with aplomb, I just know it.

So Happy Holidays, everyone. I am now going to attempt to do some holiday baking!

(Even the cat is crazy. She's been batting ornaments off the tree and
running helter-skelter through my lighted village like a deranged monster cat.)