Thanks for all the Happy Holidays comments. I vow to find the spirit this weekend and put on my proverbial Santa hat. Below is one of my favorite memories from 2007 (!), when E was just a wee little sprout. Cheers to all for a festive December week. Now get off your computer and go enjoy some eggnog.
Ethan and I went to see Santa yesterday. It was quite the process; they had the child (meaning Mom) write a letter to Santa, then you go through the "naughty or nice" meter (which sent Ethan into a mild panic, "What if it says I am naughty! I broke a Christmas ornament last night but it was an accident! Tell Santa it was an accident! Ok?"), mail the letter to the North Pole through this refrigerated chute, then finally, there was Santa and his lap. This was a good Santa - all jolly and bowl full of jelly and what not. Some of the Mall Santas I have seen in the past look like they just slept in their El Camino and finished off a fifth of JD.
This was the first year that E was all "Yeah! I WILL sit on Santa's lap and tell him what I want!" and excited about it. This year he gets it: Perform = Presents. So, of course, the whole point of this elaborate get-up is to sell photos to parents. Parents, like me, who think nothing of whipping out the Visa to buy $80 worth of photos, a keychain, AND a CD! Deal.
Anyhow - the funny part of this whole experience (and there usually is one when my son is involved) is what E said while we waited in line. I should preface this story by qualifying that neither my husband or I are religious people. We both did the whole church, Sunday School thing growing up and have not yet quite figured out what to do with/for Ethan in terms of organized religion. We have discussed Heaven and God, but only in terms of vague spirituality and a comfort measure (as in "Taffy, the cat, is in Heaven and she watches over you") It seems harsh to tell your 4-yr old that the cat is really in the yard, decomposing, and that it is - curtains for kitty - even if that is what you believe. Alright - enough about dead cats...
SO - we are waiting in line - and Ethan asked me "Who are Santa's other reindeer besides Rudolph?" He starts to answer his own question and lists off all the B-list deer he can think of: "There is Blitzen ... and Donner ... and Dasher ... and Jesus ...."
Ethan and I went to see Santa yesterday. It was quite the process; they had the child (meaning Mom) write a letter to Santa, then you go through the "naughty or nice" meter (which sent Ethan into a mild panic, "What if it says I am naughty! I broke a Christmas ornament last night but it was an accident! Tell Santa it was an accident! Ok?"), mail the letter to the North Pole through this refrigerated chute, then finally, there was Santa and his lap. This was a good Santa - all jolly and bowl full of jelly and what not. Some of the Mall Santas I have seen in the past look like they just slept in their El Camino and finished off a fifth of JD.
This was the first year that E was all "Yeah! I WILL sit on Santa's lap and tell him what I want!" and excited about it. This year he gets it: Perform = Presents. So, of course, the whole point of this elaborate get-up is to sell photos to parents. Parents, like me, who think nothing of whipping out the Visa to buy $80 worth of photos, a keychain, AND a CD! Deal.
Anyhow - the funny part of this whole experience (and there usually is one when my son is involved) is what E said while we waited in line. I should preface this story by qualifying that neither my husband or I are religious people. We both did the whole church, Sunday School thing growing up and have not yet quite figured out what to do with/for Ethan in terms of organized religion. We have discussed Heaven and God, but only in terms of vague spirituality and a comfort measure (as in "Taffy, the cat, is in Heaven and she watches over you") It seems harsh to tell your 4-yr old that the cat is really in the yard, decomposing, and that it is - curtains for kitty - even if that is what you believe. Alright - enough about dead cats...
SO - we are waiting in line - and Ethan asked me "Who are Santa's other reindeer besides Rudolph?" He starts to answer his own question and lists off all the B-list deer he can think of: "There is Blitzen ... and Donner ... and Dasher ... and Jesus ...."
6 comments:
Holy reindeer, E-Man! Too funny! Glad you're putting your Ho-Ho's on...
E. is the greatest!!! Loved his story and I also love reading "organized religion" - I was raised Catholic and though I believe in God ~ especially after where I went in my coma and the fact that I am still here (even though its seems I have many more questions now ~ in regards to "organized religion") .. it is refreshing to read someone else using that term. I would say I'm certainly more spiritual.
Also was at local plaza with Godson (1 year old) for Santa pictures.. and was not pleased with the Santa at all .. no ho ho ho, no personality and when he fogot to give Godson his candy cane ~ I couldn't resist but to ask if he was on a budget with the candy canes ... yes I did ask that!
Thanks for another wonderful post my friend.. xo HHL
That's hilarious! Somehow I don't think Jesus would mind. : )
That's hilarious! Somehow I don't think Jesus would mind. : )
Well, why not? Here in South America it would be pronounced Hey-zeus and plenty of people call their dogs that, so I think it works.
I think Jesus is a perfect name for a reindeer, ha ha.
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