Christmas Listing: Take One

Each year before Christmas I sit down with the kids.

I explain to them that Christmas is not just about receiving gifts.

It's about giving.

(preferably to their Mom & Dad)
It's about doing service.

(preferably for their Mom & Dad)

It's about showing love.

(preferably to their Mom & Dad)

(oh, and to each other would be nice)

It's about foot rubs & back massages.

(preferably for Mom)

And it's about the occasional

breakfasts in bed & sleeping in.

(again, for Mom. Nate take note).

I tell them to try to remember what's really important this time of year.

Then I throw them the toy catalogues, scissors, tape, & glue

and say, "Alright kids, it's time to make your Christmas lists to Santa!"

And they frantically tear through the pages ripping & cutting, gluing & taping.

(Santa's a visual person. He (I) needs pictures to help him out. Plus the kids love it!)

Well, this year I was running a little low on toy catalogues
so the Pottery Barn and the Land of Nod magazines had to suffice...
at least for now anyway.

I remember my lists, all scribbled out and barely legible.

I was sure Santa could read it- he's good at stuff like that.
I would lie down in my bed at night and my mind would race with all of the Christmas listing possibilities....

-A karaoke machine with the song I Saw the Sign...

(and it opened up my eyes. I saw the sign...)

-A pet Cockatiel

-A colorful assortment of neon scrunchies

-A green pair of Gerbaud jeans that would be perfect for pegging

-A set of slap bracelets (before the infamous ban)

-And a plaid blazer with just the right height of shoulder pads

Sadly Santa never followed through with this last one.
I guess there's always this year.

(Fingers crossed)