My son eagerly awaited Christmas for, you guessed it, the right to change the number on our "Days 'Til Christmas" calendar to 00. Wait, that's not what you guessed? O yea, he was excited about presents too. I was excited by the fact that all he wanted for Christmas was "presents". Nothing specific, just presents. It's certainly easy to please a kid who has no expectations.
My daughter eagerly awaited the arrival of Christmas for the wrapping paper that she would get to rip, play in, and eat. At the party we go to on Christmas Eve, it is tradition that the kids get to open a gift. Instantly upon seeing the gifts in a pile on the floor, my daughter went over to them and attempted to unwrap other children's gifts. Everyone, of course, got a kick out of this. My brother commented, "I'm impressed that she is already excited for and gets the idea of presents even though she hasn't had her first Christmas or birthday yet!". To which I replied, "She doesn't understand presents at all, she understands paper."
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| You mean I'm not supposed to eat it? Where's the fun in that! |
My son is about to turn 3 (it was his 3rd Christmas) and Anthony and I still had yet to decide how exactly we would celebrate Christmas. And by celebrate I mean, would Santa Claus have any business in our Christmas celebration? It was about time we started making some decisions we were going to stick to.
It was by no means an easy decision. Anthony and I grew up very differently. Not that that is a bad thing; I actually think it is good. It brings different perspectives to a variety of issues. But, with that said, it also brings a certain amount of pressure. Ultimately, I feel like no matter what we decide, ones parents or the others will take issue with the decision. Not that I have felt that pressure from either of our parents, I think it is mostly pressure I put on myself. I know, at the end of the day, we have to do what we think is best for our family and most pleasing to the One we are accountable to. But deep down inside I think we all really want the approval of our parents as well.
Anthony and I made the decision not to tell the kids their gifts came from Santa. Before you get all crazy on my, let me just say, I am not anti-Santa. I have a lot of Santa knick-knacks that I like to put out at Christmas (I kind of think the jolly old fat guy is cute!). We watched Frosty the Snowman with the kids which has Santa Claus in it. I don't think that we are going to instantly burst into flames at the mere mention of his name. I just don't think it's necessary to make a big deal out of it and tell the kids that's where their presents came from. How can some baby in a manger every compete with a jolly old fat guy who flies a sleigh pulled by reindeer and brings you presents? He can't. So we have chosen to make so there is no competition.
So we have covered anticipation and celebration. I bet you are wondering where decapitation fits into this whole thing. Well, on the 26th (the day Anthony and I actually got to celebrate Christmas with the kids), my daughter had a bit of an accident. Obviously she wasn't the one decapitated. No, she pulled the table cloth off of our console table taking everything else with it. Everything survived without any damage except for one of the two wise men candle holders my Grandma gave me. (Isn't there supposed to be 3? Hmmm...) His fate was decapitation. Poor thing never saw it coming. Fortunately, as with most decapitations (I making this up, I really don't know this to be fact), it was a clean cut and I think he can be repaired. We almost made it through Christmas without a single thing being damaged. I guess with two very young, only 1 broken thing should be counted as a success.
So with that I say, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
What? It's past Christmas?
Well, then, Happy New Year!
Oh, I missed that too!?!
How long have I been away from my blog?
Sincerely,
The-M-O-M
The-M-O-M
lol
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