I can hear them ringing. This week's to-do list includes: Assist with Diet Coke/Mentos-exploding Science Fair project and a “Holidays Around the World” oral report, bake four dozen cookies for the neighborhood “cookie-swap” (Yes, those parties do exist in the suburbs), shop for gifts, wrap...wrap...and keep wrapping! (I am trying to con my husband into finishing that tedious task!).

Does this all sound too familiar? I am sure I'm not alone. Yet, I am starting to think that the Jingle Bells are ringing in my head and I am going totally NUTS!

In the midst of the chaos,  there are still some parents who manage to find the time to take their kids to “Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2007" at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. I am just not one of them. I have a friend Jane who has been going to the annual shindig for six years, so I interviewed her about the party.

Here's the scoop:

Cinderella's castle glistens with icicles and snow (actually tiny bubbles) floats through the air as the families watch the “Holiday Wishes – Celebrate the Spirit of the Season” Fireworks Spectacular. The kids (and parents) sip hot cocoa and eat cookies while they watch Disney's famous characters roam the park in holiday attire. Excited (or very tearful) children can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus on Center Street near Main Street.

If that's not enough holiday hoopla, stay for “Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade,” which steps off in Frontierland at 8:15 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. (If you want to avoid the rush, the crowd is smaller at the second parade.)

While Jane and her crew were enjoying the holiday fun and at Disney, I was home last weekend trying desperately to decide which holiday photo to use in my card! I thought I had found the perfect one when I went to the Doral Resort and Spa in Miami last summer. (Check out my article on “Miami With Kids.”) The boys were dressed in matching pink Polos relaxing on a hammock. I was going to write: “Have a Relaxing Holiday!”

Truth be told, there isn't anything relaxing about raising my two boys! When we went to NBA City Orlando, my husband impressed us by winning a half-off coupon in a three-point shootout after dinner. The kids dressed up in their favorite NBA jerseys for a picture using “green screen” technology. You can see the picture accompanying this blog. It's the Michaels boys in their glory – fake tattoos and all!

Now, this is truly the “essence” of my kids. They really aren't the “relax-in-a-hammock” kind of boys. (Just ask Paco, the VISITFLORIDA.com camera operator who has seen them in action during our video shoots!)

I made the decision to use the basketball shot and write: “Hope Your 2008 is a Slam Dunk!” After shopping online, the best deal I found was 40 cards for $9.99 at VistaPrint.com. Now I can cross "Order Holiday Cards" off my list and add, "Address them!" Does it ever end?

To all the moms and dads out there, I wish you luck with all your holiday chores. As daunting as it seems, someone has to do it! And, it will all be worthwhile when you see the big smiles on the kids' faces as they rip open their gifts -- and watch all your stress melt away!