And I never knew just how tiring until I had kids. Today was a good example: Christmas program at my middle son’s preschool, then the parent’s Christmas party, then later in the afternoon to my oldest son’s school for his Christmas party (with the other two children in tow because my wife had a conflict) and then tomorrow my wife has to go help with the middle son’s Christmas party while I act as driver for oldest son’s “surprise field trip” to the movies to see The Polar Express (also with youngest son in tow).

Granted: this doesn’t sound all that tiring, but trust me–it is life-sucking tiring.

However, the broader point about holiday’s being busy with kids has really come home to me the last several years as I have realized exactly how much work my parents had to go through in preparing for Christmas and fixing dinners and doing the ol’ Christmas Eve set up and so forth. By mid-day on Christmas I am seriously in need of a nap!

(Indeed, one doesn’t fully understand or appreciate one’s own parents until one has children, of this I am convinced).

Thankfully all the shopping save for a couple of things are done.

Although I had better get wrapping soon (I am the designated wrapper in the family).