Christmas 2009 came and went like a flash!
It’s already New Years Eve…
As I sit here looking through the photos I took of my kids opening their gifts, I thought a lot about Santa and how he gets all the credit for a whole pile of great gifts my kids received. And I wondered if the people who “don’t do Santa” have the right idea.
For like a split second…
I believe that Santa represents all the good in the world at Christmas time. While we celebrate the birth of Jesus by giving gifts to those we love, we also celebrate what He stands for and Santa provides a way for us to instill anticipation and delight over Christmas before they are old enough to understand the true meaning. Plus, I don’t really think Santa exists for children, I think he exists so the adults don’t forget to magic of this time of year by experiencing it through their childrens eyes, and then through their grandchildrens eyes.
I still feel a little cheated that Jake’s favorite gift, his Nintendo DSi came from Santa, but considering the leverage I had over his behavior for like the last month, it’s a worthwhile trade. Because yes, I did go there and Santa even called once (thanks Jim) to curb some of Jake’s six-year-old behavior.
Amid all the craziness of this holiday season, we have great memories to cherish.
We had snow.
Enough to be festive, but not too much to be annoying.
We received thoughtful gifts.
Thank you Barbara Jones and One2One Network.
We made gifts.
Ornaments and cookies for friends and family.
We gave our kids some gifts from Mom and Dad.
On Christmas Eve after taking them out for pizza.
Santa came.
And was too lazy to wrap some of the stuff.
And the magic was kept alive…
The excitement on his face makes it all worth it.
Someone was a little confused by it all.
But she slowly came around.
And then there was the aftermath.
I tried to talk the dog into cleaning up the mess but he was no help.
About Kim
Well said. Happy New Year. Thanks for having us over last night. We’re lucky to have such great neighbors:)
The looks on their faces are priceless! Happy New Year Kim…I wish you and yours and blessed and prosperous New Year!
Fantastic photographs! Looks like everyone, even the confused Abby had a great time. I love the look on Jake’s face when he got his Nintendo – priceless.
Hope you have a wonderful new year!
Great pics! Even the dog was worn out.
Love the pictures! Happy New Year to you!
Thanks so much for sharing these pics!
We only do one decent sized Santa gift that is unwrappped and sitting under the tree when they get up xmas morning. The rest are from us. Works great!
Glad you had a great Christmas! Love the pictures!
There has been lots of debate lately about “Santa and credit” and who it really should go to, but I figure the fun of believing is so worth Santa getting all the credit. It comes back to you years later anyway..so in the end you get the credit either way. But until real life hits them in the face and they have to grow up, I say let them be little, let them believe as long as they can. . . and when they do have to grow up and learn the details it will be full of fun memories, just with a new twist…thinking of all the things YOU actually did and bought them for all these years…just saying!
Have a fabulous New Year!!!
Looks like y’all had a great Christmas. Ours went down much the same as yours complete with excitement and confusion. In our house, Santa only brings one gift, and it’s unwrapped. Of course it’s usually the biggest gift and most sought after, but this way, my kids have to be good not only for Santa, but Mom will return stuff too. It also left the door open to discuss with my older son how his toys are more expensive now and while he may get fewer packages to open, we spend the same on he and his younger brother. Happy New year!
Lovely pictures! If you ever figure out how to get the dawg to pitch in, please pass along the how-to!
HAPPY NEW YEAR, DOLL!
O love it! You are so right but it is still so rewarding! & We do Santa gifts and Mom/Dad gifts- I try to have a cool/ most wanted item from both- LOL That way we still get all the “Mom, dad Thx so much!” LOL I started feeling jealous at Santa too so we do it like that now- My older ones of course know the real deal but my 8 yr old still believes and I love it! My 11 yr old has caught on but I know he still wonders… Love your guys snow! Wish we got some. Just seems more like Christmas! Thx for sharing a bit of your life!